VARIETY >> PAGE 6
SPORTS >> PAGE 8
College Company members celebrate history at Tribe football games.
Jimmye Laycock and company look to rebound from ugly loss in Maine.
Tribe hosts James Madison
Ready, aim, fire
Vol. 103, Iss. 16 | Friday, October 25, 2013
The Flat Hat The Twice-Weekly Student Newspaper
HOMECOMING
STUDENT LIFE
Debating unpaid internships
West takes on Homecoming Will serve as Grand Marshal BY ABBY BOYLE FLAT HAT NEWS EDITOR
public policy Peter McHenry said. “The federal government has decided that even private companies that aren’t in the business of providing education per say, can offer education if they want to and if the students want to.” The “Black Swan” interns said they completed basic tasks usually undertaken by paid employees. In June 2013, the Federal District Court ruled in favor of the “Black Swan” interns. Since the ruling, other such cases have arisen with interns from Conde Naste, W Magazine, The New Yorker and Gawker Media, according to USA Today.
In the 54 years since she arrived at the College of William and Mary, honorary graduate Millie West ’91 has seen her fair share of change. “When I came, you weren’t allowed on campus in shorts; you had to wear a coat over any kind of physical education outfit you had on. … There were no co-ed dorms,” West said. “It’s just unending, all the changes.” West, who will serve as Grand Marshal in Friday’s Homecoming parade, has experienced changes in her role at the College as well. Serving as an instructor, coach, administrator and fundraiser for the College, West also played an instrumental role in improving funding and opportunities for women in athletics. She received an honorary degree from on the College in 1991. When she started coaching, women’s sports had very little funding; West teams lacked equipment and modes of transportation other than coaches’ cars, West said. She cited Title IX as the beginning of a shift in improving the view of women’s athletics at the College — but change was not immediate. “Title IX had a huge impact once it got teeth in the implementation of it,” West said. “For a while, it just floated around. Everyone said ‘What does this mean? What are we supposed to do with it?’ Finally in the late ’70s, early ’80s, everybody started to understand what it was and tried to make amends to correct some of the things that were wrong.” West said she has enjoyed watching the athletic programs grow and seeing the increase in opportunities for female athletes in the years since its implementation. In addition to advocating women’s athletics, West launched the swimming program and served as head coach of the women’s tennis team. The College’s tennis facility was renamed in her honor in 2010. West also continues to direct the annual Plumeri Pro-Am golf tournament, which raises
See INTERNSHIPS page 3
See WEST page 4
ABBY BOYLE / THE FLAT HAT
As interns voice concern with the legality of unpaid internships at for-profit companies, the College discusses potential policies BY MEREDITH RAMEY // FLAT HAT MANAGING EDITOR
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efore her junior year at the College of William and Mary, Juliana Dahbura ’14 spent over $5,000 of her savings in order to complete three unpaid internships at three for-profit companies in New York City. The next summer, Dahbura was excited about the paid internship she had received. But as salary negotiations continued, Dahbura turned down the internship due to issues with the stipend the company offered as compensation for her future work. Instead, she opted to continue working at the Williamsburg Outlets rather than work in a potentially exploitive environment. “The more that we were negotiating salary, it just felt crooked. … I know what the law is. This is not what the law is,” Dahbura said. “It’s kind of sad that I forfeited an opportunity which would have looked great on my resume compared to sales associate at Juicy Couture, but I don’t regret it. … The past couple years, for-profit businesses have
really been taking advantage of internships as basically taking free labor.” In September 2011, two interns working on the set of “Black Swan” filed a lawsuit against Fox Searchlight Pictures, citing the company’s violation of the six criteria laid out by the United States Department of Labor in the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 for unpaid internships at for-profit companies. Requirements one through four stipulate that such internships must be educational, be for the benefit of the intern, must not displace regular employees and must provide training that does not provide immediate advantage to the employer. Points five and six outline that the intern is not entitled to a job after the internship and both parties must agree it is unpaid. “It’s pretty much that, if you’re having an educational experience, then you don’t have to be paid,” assistant professor of economics and
FUNDING
CRIME
MULTIPLE LARCENIES IN MASON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS Between Oct. 10-12, five cases of larceny were reported at the Mason School of Business. The College of William and Mary crime log confirms one of the items was a credit card, while the other stolen properties range in value from $50 to $400. “As an ongoing investigation I cannot get into the details,” College Chief of Police Donald Challis said in an email. “It does appear that some of the incidents are related. We do have some leads and hope to close the case soon. These incidents serve as a strong reminder to members of the community not to leave their belongings unattended. Our campus is safe but it is always good to be careful.” — Flat Hat News Editor Annie Curran
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College looks to increase donations 23.9 percent of undergraduate alums gave back last year, goal is 40 percent by 2020 BY ARIEL COHEN AND ZACH HARDY ASSOC. NEWS EDITOR AND CHIEF STAFF WRITER
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In addition to the thousands of dollars students pay in tuition each year and the money provided by the commonwealth of Virginia, the College of William and Mary also relies on alumni donations. Although it is a state institution, the state only funds 12.4 percent of the College’s operating budget. To make up for the difference, the College relies on private donations, most of which come from alumni. “Over time, we’ve begun to draw students who see William and Mary as a top-tier university, and students who begin to see philanthropy as a top priority,” Vice President for Development Matthew Lambert said. According to Lambert, 23.9 percent of all undergraduate alumni gave back to the College last year. Lambert said the Development Office’s goal is to reach 40 percent by 2020. “We want to establish an undergraduate culture of philanthropy,” Lambert said. “It is also a point of pride. If you want your university to thrive, you need to create a culture of support.” The College doesn’t begin soliciting
undergraduates for monetary donations until their senior year. In contrast, most Ivy League institutions begin soliciting their undergraduates as underclassmen. “We don’t have a culture of giving like other universities do,” Lambert said. “But it doesn’t take long to create traditions here.” The annual Senior Class Gift is a tradition the school uses to foster philanthropy among alumni. It started in the 1960s, and in 1994, seniors were given the right to choose a specific area toward which their gift would be pledged. Each year, the Senior Class Gift Committee frequently holds events to create incentives for giving and to educate seniors on the importance of donating to the College. This year, the 2014 committee’s five co-chairs set the goal of a 70 percent participation rate. Co-Chair of Student Outreach Grace Martini ’14 said there isn’t a specific monetary goal, but in years past, the Senior Class Gift has raised around $20,000. “We strategically chose 70 percent [participation] as a goal because it’s something we could reasonably reach, and if we reach it, we can make an even more aggressive goal,” Martini said. “Education is still our main priority, so we can encourage people to keep giving post-college.” The Class of 2011 set a record participation rate of 79 percent. Typically, 60-70 percent of seniors participate in the Senior Class Gift.
Inside OPINIONS
See DONATIONS page 4
Inside SPORTS
Responding to our generation’s critics
Partly cloudy High 57, Low 34
William and Mary Phonathon helps the school keep in touch with alumni and encourage regular donation. Phonathon supervisor Kelly Hall ’15 said callers contact alumni from several different pools, such as those from the Mason School of Business or those about to have an important reunion. Hall said callers initially check the alumnus or alumna’s contact information, so even if the person isn’t interested in donating, the school still has a way of reaching them. Then, they speak with the person about their time at school and about what they’re doing presently. Finally, they ask if they are interested in making a donation. The usual amount is $250, according to Hall. “We are generally well-received by most of the people we talk to, but it can depend on how they enjoyed their time here,” Hall said. “Usually they enjoy talking about their time at school.” Private donations, such as those raised by Phonathon, are essential to the College’s financial future, according to Vice President of Financial Affairs Sam Jones. “How excellent you can be with private money depends on how much money comes in,” Jones said. Jones noted that the state only provides basic operating costs for the College. To pay for
A professor recently declared current college students as lazy. He has entirely missed the mark. page 5
Football alumni return to campus
Peter Coyne ’98 and others reflect on their time as Tribe student athletes. page 8
newsinsight “
The Flat Hat | Friday, October 25, 2013 | Page 2
THE BUZZ
The question is: is that the role that the College wants the Career Center to play? … I think it’s really dicey if we start being a gatekeeper.
“THAT guy” WITH richard murphy ’14
This week’s “That Guy” features Richard Murphy ’14. Tune in as he talks about his experiences as a member of the Senior Gift Committee, as well as his advice to freshmen about joining in engaging extracurricular activities. For more, check out flathatnews.com.
“
THE DIGITAL DAY
News Editor Abby Boyle News Editor Annie Curran fhnews@gmail.com
—Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Executive Director of Career Development Mary Schilling on unpaid internships
AROUND THE ‘BURG
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A THOUSAND WORDS
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Pet wolf hybrids, like the one above, have been responsible for a series of attacks in the James City County area. Some have plead for a ban on these pets.
Kingsmill United moves forward in attempt to become voice for residents
Virginia gas prices decline this month, expected to decline more
The Williamsburg Yorktown Daily reports Kingsmill residents are attempting to develop an organization called Kingsmill United to provide a voice on behalf of residents in recent neighborhood development plans by Xanterra Kingsmill, LLC. As Xanterra continues its plans for development, Kingsmill United hopes to inform residents and speak for those residents affected.
Gasoline prices are an average of seven cents per gallon lower than last month, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports. According to AAA Mid-Atlantic, the average cost per gallon of unleaded gasoline in Virginia settled at $3.17 earlier this week, as compared to $3.24 last month. Even though Virginians are paying 17 cents a gallon below the national average, prices are expected to decline further.
James City County Supervisors appoint Wilford Kale to library board
James City Police subdue loose wolf-dog hybrid on Monticello Avenue
After troubles following his nomination, Wilford Kale was appointed to the Williamsburg Regional Library Board of Trustees this week, despite James City County Supervisor Jim Kennedy’s arguments against the appointment. Following Kale’s nomination, Kennedy blocked the appointment, referencing Kale’s promotion of a political action committee and a confrontation between Kale and courthouse deputies. Although Kennedy argued against Kale, the Williamsburg Yorktown Daily reports supervisors voted 3-2 in his favor.
James City County Board of Supervisors is looking to resolve various recent concerns after a pet wolf-dog hybrid attacked two dogs near Monticello Avenue. The animal was later subdued by the James City Police. Emails sent to the Board of Supervisors called for outlawing the ownership of canine hybrids. According to the Virginia Gazette, wolf-dogs are prohibited in 11 states. Fifteen other states, including Virginia, have laws that regulate the ownership of hybrid animals.
CITY POLICE BEAT KRISTEN ASKEW / the FLAT HAT
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.
Oct. 22 1
Tuesday, Oct. 22 — An individual was arrested for being drunk in public on Griffin Avenue.
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Tuesday, Oct. 22 — An individual was arrested for a drug equipment violation on Richmond Road.
Oct. 22 — An individual was arrested for 3 Tuesday, possessing synthetic cannabinoids on Richmond
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Road.
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‘STABILITAS ET FIDES’ | ESTABLISHED OCT. 3, 1911
Tuesday, Oct. 22 — An individual was arrested for being drunk in public and using profane language on Griffin Avenue.
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News in brief Graduates dive into service careers
Ingramettes visit “Worlds of Music”
Power to give talk at business school
According to a report by the Aspen Institute and Washington Monthly, the College of William and Mary had more recent graduates enter service careers in 2000-10 than any other university in the country. The report used LinkedIn data from those years to track how many graduates listed government and non-profit positions as their first and second jobs after graduation. It listed the top 50 national universities and the top 50 liberal arts colleges by the percentage of graduates who pursue service careers. The College is on top of the national university chart, with 32.1 percent of graduates pursuing government and non-profit sector positions after graduation.
A Worlds of Music class recently received a special visit from The Ingramettes, a group that sings gospel music that is based in Richmond. The group, comprised of four women, came to speak and sing to the class in Ewell Hall as a part of the Ewell Concert Series. Maggie Ingram, who emphasized the importance of gospel music to her children, founded the 56-year-old group. The musical group is comprised of Ingram, her daughter, her granddaughter and another friend and an unrelated musician. The group has won several awards and has been recognized as a “national treasure” by Jon Lohman of the Virginia Folklife Program.
On Oct. 28, James D. “Jamey” Power will give a presentation on his company’s approach to customer satisfaction at the College. The event is free and open to everyone and will take place in Miller Hall’s Brinkley Commons Room. Power is the senior vice president and strategic advisor at J.D. Power and Associates, a research-based marketing firm centered in California. While it originally focused on the automobile industry, they now focus on consumer services ranging from hospitals to homebuilders in Asia. He has also cowritten a book called “Satisfaction: How Every Great Company Listens to the Voice of the Customer.”
Friday, October 25, 2013
The Flat Hat
Page 3
STUDENT ASSEMBLY
SA prepares for Charter Day act Senate allocates additional $30,000 for annual concert by yet unnamed performer By lindsey stroud the flat hat
In Tuesday’s meeting, the Student Assembly unanimously approved the Charter Day Concert Act, which allocates $30,000 to be spent on an artist to perform at the event. The bill takes $30,000 from the Student Activities Reserve Fund and adds it to $30,000 from AMP’s
budget and the $25,000 from the SA’s budget marked for the concert last semester. These funds will all go towards an artist’s contract for Charter Day. Even though the funding for the bill is 28.5 percent of the Student Activity’s Reserve, senators expressed their excitement for the concert. “It’s a big bill, but it’s a really big concert and a great tradition for the College,” SA President Chase Koontz ’14 said. “We’d like to see the concert get back
meredith ramey / THE FLAT HAT
The Student Assembly approved the Charter Day Concert Act in Tuesday’s meeting in preparation for the annual concert.
to something that the College is really excited about and we think this bill will do that.” Secretary of Outreach Kendall Lorenzen ’15 is working with AMP on the concert’s details. “AMP has been working really hard to get us a great list of artists to choose from and we’ll keep you updated when we can,” Lorenzen said. The senate also unanimously approved the Spooktacular Act, a family-friendly, fall-themed event that allocates $1,820 of SA funding to activities for students. The festival was a “flop” last year, according to the bill’s sponsor Sen. Daniel Ackerman ’16. Funding would take 1.7 percent of the Student Assembly Reserve. But Ackerman said there might be incentives to attend. “The good news is that we allocated $10 for water balloons,” he said. “This is going to be a great event; it does wonders for town relations and the student body as a whole,” Sen. Colin Danly ’15 said. The SA also unanimously passed the PA Exec Reimbursement Act, approving the reimbursement of funding to the Student Assembly Executive Department of Public Affairs, who paid for voter registration forms and expenses out of pocket. The final order of business concerned a previously approved bill that provided the funding for buses that shuttled students to the Washington, D.C. office during fall break. An error was made by the D.C. office, which confused the specific date that the buses were needed, effectively postponing the departure of the
buses from campus by a few hours. All bus passengers received full refunds due to the delay. “[The SA] … will not be reimbursed, but we won’t lose any more money than what was allocated,” Ackerman said. The buses still made it to their destination, and it seems that the event was successful even with the delay. “I remember when the original bill came up for the buses. … the main intention was increased exposure to the Washington, D.C. office. They did an internship panel on Tuesday that was, apparently, a packed room,” Koontz said.
CHARTER DAY PERFORMERS OF YEARS PAST Since the inaugural 2011 concert, these artists have taken the stage in Kaplan Arena. 2011 - The Roots 2012 - Third Eye Blind 2013 - Gavin DeGraw 2014 - To be determined FILE PHOTO / THE FLAT HAT
STUDENT ASSEMBLY
Wrong contract signed, Publications Council, SA renegotiate Organizations discuss clarifying language in terms of capping publications’ reserve account
By claire gillespie Flat hat ASSOC. news editor
Last week, Student Assembly Advisor Trici Fredrick M.Ed. ’05 and Chairman William McConnell ’14 raised multiple legal concerns when they discovered that last year’s SA president Curt Mills ’13 and Chair of the Publication Council Justin Miller ’13 signed the wrong contract. Last spring, the senate and publication council approved a three-year contract that included additional text from the
SA code and a clause that gives the SA the power to freeze the council’s Student Publications Reserve account if the council chair or a voting member does not update the senate on the state of the reserve each month. “When an organization or a council of this nature gets a large sum of money from student activities fees, we think it’s important that they come and demonstrate to us how they’re using the money,” SA President Chase Koontz ’14 said. “At the same time, it’s not just to have
oversight. It really allows us … to allocate the best money to them.” Contract funding was approved prior to budgeting allocations in January. In March, the senate and council approved the contract’s wording and Mills and Miller signed the contract. “Everyone was transitioning — that was part of the challenge,” Fredrick said. “It was just rushed, so it wasn’t perhaps as thorough as it should have been.” Even though the clause was not in the signed contract, council Chair Jackie
Vasquez ’14 came to the senate meeting Tuesday, Oct. 22 and updated the senate that the council has $82,210.87 in the SPR. “I don’t mind coming [to the senate meetings],” Vasquez said. McConnell, Koontz and Vasquez agreed to renegotiate the contract to reflect the one approved by the senate and council last March. In their negotiations, the trio discussed clarifying the language that caps the SPR at $75,000 and moves any money over this cap to the SA reserve. In practice, Student
Activities Accountant Anita Forrest moves additional money at the end of the year. Renegotiations would have Forrest move the money over immediately. “[The SPR] is not something we always pull from,” Vasquez said. The contract, complete with the account freezing clause, additional text from the SA code and clearer language regarding the SPR cap, will become law once it is approved by the senate and the publication council and signed by Vasquez and Koontz.
Debating the Career Center’s role in unpaid, for-profit internship restrictions INTERNSHIPS from page 1
After turning down her internship this summer due to its potentially illegality, Dahbura listened to Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Executive Director of Career Development Mary Schilling speak on National Public Radio’s “On Point” program about internships June 11. “[Schilling] wasn’t defending internships, but she definitely wasn’t against them,” Dahbura said. “That really irked me because I had almost done this exploitive internship through the [Sherman and Gloria H.] Cohen Career Center.” Following the interview, Dahbura researched the internships listed in the College’s University Career Action Network, an internship database with 22 college and university members, marking those she found high risk according to the FLSA. Dahbura sent this research along with a letter to the Career Center, concluding that she believed that, while the College may not be held legally responsible for connecting students with illegal internships, the College should verify the legality of the internships it displays to students. “I believe that William and Mary, as well as all colleges and universities in the United States, have a moral and legal obligation to protect its students from illegal internships, regardless of the ‘benefits’ that the internships could bring to a student’s career,” Dahbura’s letter read. The question of enforcement Following Dahbura’s letter, Schilling and Dahbura met to discuss ways the College could address the issues Dahbura raised. Dahbura’s suggestions included adding information to the College’s webpage about the FLSA’s requirements and the formation of a think tank or focus group with students, faculty and local employers to think of other ways the College could handle potentially illegal internships. Schilling reached out to the other
members of UCAN to see what policies they had in place to combat potentially illegal internship postings. In responses, the University of Notre Dame, the University of Richmond and Old Dominion University said they include statements linking to the FLSA criteria for unpaid internships at for-profit companies. Schilling said the College plans to add a similar component within the site to inform, not restrict, employers as they post internship offerings. “We could just not post any of them and then that means our students couldn’t do them, period,” Schilling said. “The question is: Is that the role that the College wants the Career Center to play? … I think it’s really dicey if we start being a gatekeeper.” Schilling recounted a family weekend program in which the possibility of restricting students’ access to certain internships arose. “[One audience member] raised his hand and said, ‘What are you doing about unpaid internships and this stuff?’ He said, ‘Is it going to hurt my son or daughter’s chances of getting an internship?’” Shilling said. “You see, already people are worried that we might say you can’t do an internship.” McHenry echoed this opinion, stating that it remains the Department of Labor’s job to enforce and advertise regulations, not the College’s. He added that students at the College can make a reasonable choice without knowing the six rules or criteria, emphasizing the usually voluntary aspect of these relationships. McHenry also highlighted the benefits even potentially illegal internships could provide students, including education in hard skills, such as training in certain programs, and soft skills, such as networking and workplace navigation. McHenry believes some internships provide the work skills which firms say colleges are failing to give students. “I would be worried about very stringent actions by the government
against internships because I think, in the conversation, it’s easy to ignore the benefit that students get from these relationships, or at least the potential benefits that students get,” McHenry said. “Economic theory would imply that, probably, if you raise the cost to a firm of providing these experiences to students, then the firms would provide fewer and that would be a bad thing for students who otherwise would have benefited.” It is this qualitative data and these positive internship experiences that McHenry says the College should gather so that unrewarding internships can be avoided and beneficial ones sought. “That’s the kind of information that you really want to know about in order to make a good, informed decision,” McHenry said. “I think we can all imagine an unpaid internship that is dynamite.” Schilling also said the Career Center cannot logistically cull through the internships posted by the other 21 members of UCAN and Simplicity, the UCAN software, due to the time and labor it would require. As of press time, the database listed 1,351 internships available to students, 659 of which were unpaid. The role of internships Regardless of their legality, internships remain an important aspect of students’ careers. Schilling and Dahbura agree that internships are a necessity when entering the job market, as indicated by both employers and studies, such as the one conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Using responses from 9,215 bachelor’s degree level graduating seniors who applied for jobs before graduation, the NACE 2013 Student Survey determined that 63.1 percent of paid interns received at least one job offer, compared to 37 percent of unpaid interns and 35.2 percent of seniors with no internship experience. For the third consecutive year, the NACE
survey found that paid interns had the highest median starting salaries for new graduates at $51,930 for 2013, followed by those without internship experience at $37,087 and those with unpaid internship experience at $35,721. Dahbura described her concern that internships were replacing entry-level jobs and becoming a structural part of the market. McHenry cited the slowly recovering economy as a possible cause for this trend as well as companies’ mindsets as they note the unpredictable nature of the market. “[The job market] is one of the worst parts of the economy and holding back the rest as well,” McHenry said. “I don’t think you really want to attack the symptom — the internships. … If there’s a big reserve army of people who want jobs and don’t have them, then firms can say ‘you know, we’re going to tighten out standards. We’re going to hire people who have a few years of experience.’” Schilling described the reliance on internships in many creative fields, fields that also tend to offer unpaid internships rather than paid. “I think students are hungry for and need magazine, communication, radio, TV, film, advertising, marketing [internships],” Schilling said. “That’s where students say, ‘Even if those are unpaid, I want the experience; I need the experience.’” Dahbura emphasized her concern that students were unaware of the FLSA requirements when choosing to take unpaid internships at for-profit companies as well as the financial burden this places on students. “[Students] get this idea that, ‘Everyone has to do internships, I’m just going to go with the flow,’” Dahbura said. “That’s a problem because that’s not how it should be and that’s not in compliance with the law. … If you want to get into one of these creative industries and you don’t have $5,000 to blow over the summer, then you can’t break into these industries at all.”
Socioeconomic concerns McHenry also mentioned this concern, describing the inability of students from certain economic backgrounds to take advantage of the opportunities provided by unpaid internships. McHenry noted that while some students can use parental connections and finances to complete unpaid internships, others cannot. “Basically, the idea that only rich kids can afford to take an unpaid internship [is] unfair,” McHenry said. “My response to that would tend to be: Don’t get rid of the unpaid internship, but help students who can’t afford it.” Schilling agreed, citing the need to financially support students so that they can enter the workforce through internships and gain experience in their career fields. Schilling said the career center is planning to form an internship fund for unpaid internships, primarily focused on unpaid, non-profit internships rather than those at forprofit companies. “My thinking is we don’t want to support for-profit companies, we want to keep pressure on them,” Schilling said. “We’re never going to get the non-profit organizations and government to pay for internships, we can’t even get the forprofit companies to pay. So, I think, until we have it that all internships must be paid … I think we are expected to make it possible for students to do internships.” Following the loss of the Career Center’s internship coordinator in June, the College hired Anna Umbreit as assistant director and internship coordinator. Umbreit will begin work in November. Schilling said she is also planning to consult the Legal Affairs Department about the role of the College in deterring students from potentially illegal internships. “Internships are here to stay,” Schilling said. “What I don’t know is is this layer of for-profit companies that are offering unpaid internships and maybe not meeting those requirements? Is that here to stay? I don’t know.”
Page 4
The Flat Hat
Friday, October 25, 2013
WILLIAMSBURG
WATA to receive additional state funding
Estimated $640,000 in funding may be used to extend trolley services By HALEY ARATA The flat hat
The Williamsburg Area Transit Authority, which includes the buses and trolleys that roll through the College of William and Mary campus, will receive additional funding from this year’s state transportation package. With tax revenue, the transportation plan will allocate funds for operational services. Jodi Miller, a Williamsburg representative on the WATA board, said there are four possible services that could stem from the estimated $640,000 transit funding: removal of the afternoon service break and implementation of new drivers; preservation of the Williamsburg Trolley service; increase in frequency of service of determined routes; or an extension of service to the James City Government Center, Riverside Doctors’ Hospital development, Lackey Free Clinic and York and Jamestown areas. Kevin Danker, executive director of WATA, looks forward to opportunities for implementing new services. Because the allocated funds are operational, and not capital, he said options may be limited. “One of the challenges is, without
being able to buy new buses, we don’t have additional buses to begin some of these new services,” Danker said. “It’s unfortunate that we didn’t receive capital money at the same time.” Danker said there is a possibility that WATA will receive capital funding next year, which could allow for a wider range of service enhancements like purchasing more buses. “We’re happy that this new operating money is coming on board, and we’re looking forward to additional capital money next year,” Danker said. Danker also noted that the transit authority plans to use the funds to improve customer service, in part focused on students of the College. Student transportation services were recently expanded, incorporating trolley stops within central campus. Recent proposals include not only a continuation of the trolley system, but further development of services which will provide quicker and more efficient transit access to students. An advocate for the maintenance of transportation systems within and around Williamsburg, City Council member Judith Knudson also expressed support for the operational funding. “What the funding does is keep [the
COURTESY PHOTO / INSIDERSPASSPORT.COM
The Williamsburg Trolley’s service may be preserved after the Williamsburg Area Transit Authority receives additional funding from the state.
transit system] going,” Knudson said. “We need to keep it going long enough to make it become the thing to do. Instead of hopping in your car, you hop
on the bus.” Although only operational services may be tweaked and improved this year, students look forward to the prospect of
new transportation vehicles. “[I would like] more buses to run more often, if that’s possible,” Greg Packer ’16 said.
ACADEMICS
Students, professors collaborate on annual PhysicsFest Third annual event aims to engage community members, educate, showcase interactive science By STUART MAPES THE FLAT HAT
The physics department will host PhysicsFest — an annual event that aims to unite education and fun — this Saturday in the College of William and Mary’s Small Hall. The building will be open on Oct. 26 to college students and the Williamsburg community, where students from the physics department will present experiments, demonstrations and lectures to teach physics to guests at the event. The theme of this year’s event is “States of Matter.” Stations will be set up so that attendees can
explore various states of matter, including lesserknown states such as plasma and ferromagnetic fluids. “We’re doing weird states of matter,” physics professor Irina Novikova said. “[The goal of PhysicsFest] is to show people how interesting it is to do physics.” Novikova is one of a few faculty organizers of the event, but much of the responsibility for planning the event each year falls to students in the physics department. “This is the third PhysicsFest we’ve done, so it’s sort of become an algorithm at this point,” Tim Milbourne ’14, a student who has helped organize
the event this year and in the past, said. The planning for this year’s event began over the summer and Milbourne said students have worked out the details throughout the course of the semester. Elana Urbach ’14, helped organize this year’s PhysicsFest and said she expects several hundred people to attend, many of them kids and their families from local elementary schools. “It brings our department together, but it also brings the community in to share our love of science,” Urbach said. The event will also give undergraduate students a chance to present their research. Urbach said
she is excited about the “oobleck pool,” one of many interactive features at the event this year. Oobleck is the non-Newtonian fluid often used in science classrooms to demonstrate an interesting state of matter. “It’s always been my dream to have a kiddie pool full of oobleck that I could walk across,” Urbach said. The event planners advertised PhysicsFest in local newspapers and at schools. “There will be free liquid nitrogen ice cream, so everyone should come,” Urbach said. Doors will open at 10:00 a.m. and activities will take place throughout the day.
West holds lifelong College connection College encourages alumni to give back WEST from page 1
money for the school’s athletic programs. West said she has enjoyed spending her career in Williamsburg, where she also met her husband. She said she feels the College is truly unlike any other university. “As the word goes, there is only one William and Mary,” West said. “I think the thing that sets it apart is the total picture. … We have some
Fiscal year 2013 record-breaking for number of alumni donors DONATIONS from page 1
wonderful students who come here, who push everybody, and that’s the way I feel about the College in my role. I was pushed beyond what I thought was my ability.” As for this weekend’s activities, West looks forward to reuniting with former teams and students. A former tennis player nominated West to serve as grand marshal, which she said she considers an honor. College President Taylor Reveley said he views West as a good choice
for the position. “Millie West is the perfect grand marshal for this year’s Homecoming festivities,” Reveley said in a statement. “For more than half a century, Millie has been a power and an inspiration at William & Mary. She’s been a successful coach, a vital senior administrator, and the galvanizing force for women’s athletics at the College. Few can match her service and devotion to our campus community.”
the remaining operating costs, the College looks to tuition dollars as well as private donations. “The state is only going to fund to an average level, and they are a very formula-driven funding entity,” Jones said. “This sort of model doesn’t fit with a public ivy like William and Mary.” Many students and alumni alike do not realize how little funding the Virginia legislature provides. “As a public state institution, sometimes people don’t see us as having as much of a need for private dollars as a private institution would,” Jones said. “One of our main challenges is communicating to folks that we need private donations to fund the margin of excellence the state will not fund, even in their best economic situation.” While alumni donate to the College throughout the calendar year, according
to Assistant Vice President for Lifetime Philanthropic Engagement and Annual Giving Daniel Frezza, the two most popular times of the year to give are the end of the calendar year and the end of the fiscal year. Last year, gifts of $250 or less raised over $2.93 million for the College. According to Lambert, the 2013 fiscal year was a record-breaking year for the number of alumni donors at the College with 18,552 graduate and undergraduate alumni contributing. Of alumni who were affiliated with a Greek organization while attending the College, 32.03 percent donated in the last fiscal year, and 37.93 percent of former athletes donated as well. “It gets back to the student development theory,” Frezza said. “The more a student is engaged and successful at the College, the more the student is involved in the College after graduation.”
BY THE NUMBERS
18,552 37.93% 30.23% 79%
the number of alumni (undergraduate and graduate) who contributed to the College in fiscal year 2013
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of former athletes who contributed to the College in fiscal year 2013 of Greek alumni who contributed to the College in fiscal year 2013
the record for the Senior Class Gift participation rate, set by the Class of 2011
We want to establish an undergraduate culture of philanthropy. It is also a point of pride. If you want your university to thrive, you need to create a culture of support. —Vice President for Development Matthew Lambert
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Former coach, women’s sports advocate to be recognized
opinions
Opinions Editor Zachary Frank fhopinions@gmail.com
The Flat Hat | Friday, October 25, 2013 | Page 5
STAFF EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL CARTOON
Working for free
I
GUEST COLUMN
Not everyone should attend college
half of all students in the current postsecondary education system will not finish school. This causes a problem where they get the brunt of student loan debt but not the benefit of having a college degree. Second, many students obtain majors in fields that are not in high demand in the current job market. The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering FLAT HAT GUEST COLUMNIST and Math) job market is increasing and in high demand. The same can’t be said for many jobs in the humanities and Student loan debt is a serious and daunting thought for many social sciences. This is not to discourage students from getting prospective and current students throughout the United States. their majors in the humanities and the social sciences, but Student loan debt now exceeds credit card debt as the number rather a word of caution to be prepared for the hostile and two debt held by individuals today, second only to mortgages. changing job market. Also, student debt is not one of those According to The Project on Student Debt, the average student debts from which you can escape. You can get rid of credit loan debt in Virginia is about $25,000, while the national average card debt through bankruptcy or failing to pay your mortgage hovers around $26,600. The cost of going to college is increasing through foreclosure, but student debt looms over you until at alarming rates that far exceed inflation. Tuition costs are going you pay it off. Deductions in federal entitlement benefits and garnishment of paychecks are a sad reality up for two main reasons. First, having a for many people with student loan debt. degree will lead to better job prospects. The reality is that not everyone However, this negative and gloomy That is true; having a college degree is is meant for college, whether predicament doesn’t need to happen. a whole lot better than not having one, it’s because they are not We can change the education paradigm the same way that having a master’s to prevent recklessly pursuing expensive degree is better than a bachelor’s prepared academically or education and thus obtaining soaring degree. Prospective students realize because they cannot afford it. student loan debts. We as a society need this and are convinced that a degree The social stigma associated to let people know that seeking other, equals a job, which is not only false with not going to a college or more affordable paths is nothing to be but more importantly a costly decision. university needs to stop. ashamed of. Community college, trade The second cause is increased demand and vocational schools and the military from increased government subsidies of education. Pell grants, Stafford loans and tax credits are all are all options that should be promoted and encouraged in terms many students who receive financial aid may have heard our secondary schools, not the idea that one should only before. When the government subsidizes education in this way, go to a four-year college or university if one wants to do the demand for college goes up. As demand increases, so does anything with one’s life. The reality is that not everyone is consumption and thus price. Government subsidies have the meant for college, whether it’s because they are not prepared intended effect of making college cheaper, but in reality, it makes academically or because they cannot afford it. The social stigma associated with not going to a college or university it more expensive on the greater portion of students. needs to stop. The quicker that happens, the quicker and As the demand to go to school is driven by better job more likely it is that people will decide to take a path geared prospects and government subsidies of education, colleges meet more towards their needs and desires rather than that of their that demand with higher prices. Students are oftentimes forced to take on tens of thousands of dollars through private and public high school guidance counselor or teachers. We have the opportunity to help fix one of the largest problems that looms loans to pay for the education that is expected of them in the over our postsecondary education system and all it takes is current education paradigm of everyone attending a four-year a shift in mindset. Sounds like a little to give up and a lot in college or university. However, students struggle to pay for their return. student loan debt for two main reasons. First, many students drop out of college before they even obtain a degree. Nearly Email Brian Meyer at bameyer@email.wm.edu.
Brian Meyer
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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.
COMMENTS @THEFLATHAT
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A better case would be comparing W&M salaries with other public institutions. Dartmouth and Princeton are both private institutions, and the prevailing trend is that private university professors are getting paid more than public university professors.
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BY BRIAN KAO, FLAT HAT GRAPHIC DESIGNER
nternships for College of William and Mary students are essential for success in the current anemic job market. Not all internships are created equal, however. While many find valuable, paid internships that lead to jobs, some feel forced to take unpaid ones that may not lead to employment and may even be illegal under the Fair Labor Standards Act. A lack of federal enforcement leaves many students uninformed about the legal status of certain unpaid internships and faced with a difficult choice: take an unpaid, exploitative internship or seek employment elsewhere and possibly lose out on a chance to build their resume. As this issue will remain a grey area for the immediate future, the Sherman and Gloria H. Cohen Career Center must play a more active role in providing students with information about potentially illegal internships. That being said, students will have to decide whether these internships are worth the loss of income and potential exploitation. Legality aside, unpaid internships — especially those at forprofit companies — pose problems for cash-strapped students. Student loans and other expenses make them unaffordable for those who could be working. Whether students even benefit from some of them is now in question: Certain for-profit internships are in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act precisely because they are not educational or beneficial to interns. In addition, the National Association of Colleges and Employers Student Survey found that, of graduating seniors applying for jobs, only 37 percent of unpaid interns received at least one job offer, compared to 63.1 percent of paid interns. It also found that starting salaries of unpaid interns were actually lower than those with no internships. We understand the Career Center’s dilemma. It is tasked with finding internships for students; limiting the kinds of internships it can find makes its job harder and limits student opportunities. Assessing the legality of every internship may not even be possible. That does not mean, however, that the Career Center cannot help students understand what to watch out for and the legal requirements of unpaid internships. It may not improve the outlook for many students, but they will be better informed. Even if the Career Center cannot deter students from taking certain internships, they are taking steps to address unpaid internships in general. The Career Center’s plans to create a fund for students with unpaid internships at non-profit companies will improve the affordability of internships that might benefit students. It is also good to see that the College has hired an internship coordinator for the Career Center; the position had previously been vacant since June and will be filled by Anna Umbreit in November. We look forward to seeing how she works with non-profit and for-profit companies to provide internship opportunities to College students. While internships have helped students find jobs for decades, they are becoming increasingly essential for students. Yet many internships, especially unpaid internships for non-profit companies, offer students so little that they may violate the Fair Labor Standards Act. With the legality and benefit of many of these internships still being debated, the Career Center must serve as a guide to students, who will need to make informed judgments about their future. Meredith Ramey recused herself from this staff editorial to remain unbiased in her reporting.
—EmilyFish on “Faculty pay remains low”
We’re a generation that learns, travels and works part time. We’re far from lazy. Samantha Farkas FLAT HAT STAFF COLUMNIST
Louis Betty, a professor of French at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater, recently wrote an article published in The Chronicle of Higher Education in which he cast an ominous shadow over our futures. In essence, he said our generation is lazy, unskilled and altogether out of touch with reality. The article is scathing, and as someone who devotes most of my life to my school, my part-time jobs and my internship, it’s especially hurtful. Lazy? I’m sorry, lazy? I have half a mind to call him up and let him know just how lazy I am. Outside. By the dumpsters. We’ll settle this right here, right now.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way. We go to the College of William and Mary. Good grades don’t come easy; we have to work ridiculously hard. We pull all-nighters in Earl Gregg Swem Library, running on espresso shots from Greenberry’s. On top of it all, we’re involved in parttime jobs, internships, community service and other activities that turn free time into an abstract concept out of a philosophy paper. Free time? What is free time? Clearly, we’re not lazy, but I’m more hesitant to dismiss Betty’s other arguments. Are we unskilled? By that, I mean, are we unprepared for the real world? Are we out of touch with reality here in the bubble that is Williamsburg, Va.? Maybe he’s right in saying that our courses don’t sufficiently prepare us for our future careers. There is only so much experience that can be gleaned from textbooks and lectures. However,
he doesn’t give us credit for what we do outside the classroom. For example, has there ever been a generation that travels as extensively as we do? When our parents went to college, it was rare for someone to go abroad; now, it’s the norm. But say we don’t make it out of the country. What about our involvement in local organizations or community service? In the same way that classroom learning opens our minds and gives us the tools to prepare for the real world, our extracurricular activities give us the practice. Out of touch with the real world? I think not. We know what’s out there. We know what awaits us after we graduate. Even if we are prepared, most of us are terrified of graduation. We’re very aware that the job market is tough and the economy is weak. Plenty of qualified candidates are shooting for the same position as us. But does that mean we should walk around with rainclouds over our heads?
Hell, no. For one, if we don’t believe ourselves capable or worthy of finding a job, why should potential employers think so? To don constant pessimism is
to wear a badge that reads “Don’t Hire Me.” Call it corny, but there’s power in hope. Email Samantha Farkas at sbfarkas@email.wm.edu.
GRAPHIC BY LINDSAY WADE / THE FLAT HAT
variety
Variety Editor Áine Cain flathat.variety@gmail.com
The Flat Hat
| Friday, October 25, 2013 | Page 6
Tradition COURTESY PHOTO / LAUREN MALOY
The College Company provides students interested in history a hands-on experience. Club members are immersed in the 18th century by constructing forts, handling firearms, performing colonial dances and cooking meals on open fires.
College Company highlights Virginia’s heritage through historical reenactment, education BY SYDNEY MAHAN THE FLAT HAT
Don’t be alarmed by the people dressed like minutemen shooting off rifles every time the Tribe football team scores a touchdown. You don’t have to visit the Cheese Shop or go on a cider walk to see colonial re-enactors — just check out the College Company, a student club at the College of William and Mary. Each member has a personal story about why he or she joined the Company: Some were recruited as freshmen during the annual student activities fair, while others discovered the club through jobs held at the nearby Jamestown settlement. For Jack Weaver ’17, it’s basically in his blood. “My dad’s a re-enactor, and I just sort of got into it when I got older and I was able to come out to events with him,” Weaver said. College Company members agree that they enjoy dressing in colonial attire and shooting muskets, but it isn’t just the clothes and arms that make the club unique. According to Daniel Sieh ’16, the
best part of the club is the educational and social experience that re-enactment provides. “I like the community aspect of it. We’re all very friendly to one another. There’s no, like, hierarchy. We all do what must be done and we don’t mind getting our hands dirty,” Sieh said. “We value history, but we’re not obnoxious about it. We like to help people, and we like to learn. You’re always learning something new.” As members of the College Company, students are exposed to things they wouldn’t likely learn otherwise. They build forts, cook over open fires, and practice intricate colonial dances. Members are also trained to safely handle 18th century muskets. The 7th Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line acts as an effective parent group for the club, providing the students with loaner equipment, gunpowder and education in the proper handling and firing of a musket. Training involves learning how to safely use black powder and studying the principle rules of gun safety, including always aiming the gun in a safe direction
and keeping one’s finger off the trigger until ready to fire. Members of the College Company utilize this training when they re-enact around Virginia, especially at the College’s football games. “It’s fun, but it can be a little bit stressful at times just because there are so many people in your general vicinity that you have to pay attention to,” Davis Tierney ’15 said. “We have to make sure that we’re firing in a direction where nobody’s gonna be in the way or get hurt or anything like that, so we always make sure we clear an area in front of us before we shoot. We also make sure that we use really fast burning gunpowder so no extra debris comes out the barrel that could conceivably hurt somebody.” The College Company strives to maintain the authenticity of the era. To accomplish this, re-enactors have kits that include various types of clothing and weapons appropriate to the time period and the type of person they portray. These kits vary based on the specific character’s gender and rank in the army. For women, costumes generally consist of a skirt, a petticoat, a shirt, kerchiefs and a mobcap. Especially
COURTESY PHOTO / SARAH ROCK
College Company members dress in colonial outfits and attend numerous reenactment events throughout the state.
enthusiastic re-enactors sometimes wear a hat, as well. The kits for men in line infantry include socks, knee breeches, an undershirt, a vest and a coat. Men not in line infantry wear an undershirt, a hunting shirt and a hat. Both sexes require period-appropriate shoes. If a re-enactor wears inappropriate shoes, he or she must wear batters to hide the historical inaccuracy. Re-enacting is an expensive hobby. A pair of period-appropriate socks can cost up to $30 per pair. If one were to re-enact privately outside the College Company, clothing alone could cost up to $1,000 — not including weaponry. “Since it’s a club, it’s great because if you were doing this on your own time you would have to buy pretty much all of it at once in order to be able to do anything, and that could run you up to $1,000 all at once,” Shannon Callinan ’16 said. “But here we have enough loaner equipment that we can [use to] get you outfitted and go to some events and you can use our clothing, and then meanwhile, if you get into it and decide you really do like it, you can buy your own clothing.” Members don’t just perform at home
football games; they also have the ability to participate in re-enactments around Williamsburg and the greater-Virginia area through the 7th Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line. The College Company will perform later this month, from Oct. 18-20. Called “Return of the Hook,” this re-enactment involves over 1,000 re-enactors and is open to the public. When asked what he enjoys most about participating in College Company, Tierney cites the ability to interact with such a diverse group. “I really like that we get to introduce what is normally a prohibitive and expensive hobby to people who might not necessarily be able to do it otherwise,” Tierney said. “I normally wouldn’t really get to re-enact ever with people who are on a really low budget because they would never be able to afford to get into it in the first place. But, because of this club, we get to bring in people who can only afford to shell out 20 bucks, and that’s great; it allows us to interact with a wider variety of people [and] introduce people to this, and it allows them to see if they like it without putting in a huge capital investment to begin with.”
COURTESY PHOTO / LAUREN MALOY
Students in the College Company meet to drill effective firearm handling, in order to ensure that muskets are always fired safely.
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Do you feel so dirty when they start talking cute?
Don’t tell her that you love her because the point is actually moot: Why you need to let go of your Jessie’s girl
Joseph Scholle
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS COLUMNIST
You have a friend. You friend is dating a fantastic, wonderful person. You want to be dating this person. But this person is loving your friend with their sweet body; you just know it. You’ve already tried to be funny and to be cool with the lines. What’s there left to do? I don’t know. Cry, maybe? Pine away and hope they’ll break up soon? Get a journal and write some long, sad entries? Accuse your friend of being a Bonapartist and have him sent away to life
in prison while you marry his fiancée, before he escapes and finds a large fortune, pretends to be a nobleman, and attempts to wreck the happiness of you and your accomplices? It’s a rough situation. I hope that none of you’ve ever had to deal with it. Let’s face it, though: We all run in humorous, attractive and intelligent crowds. At this very moment, you could be hopelessly in love — returning readers, I’m using “in love” in a colloquial manner — with a friend’s significant other. This longing is especially likely when both people are in your circle. But what to do? We need to keep in mind that friendship is the most important takeaway from college. If you don’t believe me, ask the alumni trickling back for homecoming. The people who you hang out with right now might be the same people you’ll be sitting in the nursing home with in 60 years. I
hope I’m close with my friends for the rest of my life. Obviously, we want our friends to be happy. If you’re in love with their girlfriend or boyfriend, this may cause some mild to severe discomfort. This may mean that you love someone from afar for a long time. But I have confidence that if you are meant to be with a particular person, it’ll all work out. When your friend and your potential sweetheart break up, you might be tempted to sweep in with a romantic gesture — or just try to get some emotional instability rebound sex. Proceed with caution. This strategy comes with the side effects of making you a jerk to your friend and kicking off your new relationship based on feelings for someone else. I recommend waiting an appropriate amount of time before you make your move. This is
different for each person and each situation. When your love interest is ready and emotionally available, things will proceed with awesomeness. My current girlfriend told me she couldn’t date me the first time I asked her. Not because she didn’t like me, but because she wasn’t quite over her ex yet. I wasn’t happy. I waited with great impatience. But, looking back at the situation, I’m really glad that we took our time. Luckily for me, her ex lives hundreds of miles away. I never had to deal with him the way you would a romantic rival who also happens to be your friend. If your friendship with that person is important to you, you’re going to have to keep your desires in check. This takes strength. It comes with a great reward, though, if you can gain a new relationship without losing an old friendship. Joseph Schoelle is a Behind Closed Doors Columnists and is real cool with the lines.
Friday, October 25, 2013
The Flat Hat
We can work it out
Page 7
The Rec Center offers classes in spinning, pilates, yoga, Zumba, body combat and more.
ALL PHOTOS BY LING BESEICKER / THE FLAT HAT
Fitness instructors at the Student Recreation Center strive to be examples of fitness and flexibility to the students who attend their wide array of classes.
Instructors keep in shape to ensure that they are physically fit enough to teach students.
Group fitness leaders showcase passion for excercise
BY SARAH STUBBS FLAT HAT STAFF WRITER
Your muscles are starting to feel like Jello. Your own labored breathing is the loudest thing you can hear, next to the pulsing music. And then you look up and see the fitness instructor at the front of the class, still grinning and calling out motivation, barely breaking a sweat as you force yourself to do one more rep. This scene replays itself countless times within the group fitness classes at the Campus Recreation Center. The Rec Center offers classes in body pump, spinning, yoga, Zumba, pilates, body combat, and more — and each one of those classes is taught by a fitness instructor. Who these instructors are and their motivation for teaching varies, but it all comes down to loving fun and fitness. Many fitness instructors already focused on working out in a great part of their lives before college. Courtney Duckworth ’15, whose majors are kinesiology and health sciences with a concentration in premed, was a competitive figure skater. Meanwhile, Rory Siegel ’15, a kinesiology and Hispanic studies major, implemented a strict weightlifting schedule with a friend. Upon entering college, they needed to find a brand new way to work out. “My first semester at college was the first time since I started skating
that I had to find other ways to keep fit,” Zumba and Pilates instructor Duckworth said. “I knew that running and using the machines at the gym wouldn’t allow me to have the fun social aspect and feeling of escape that skating provided.” With a friend, Duckworth tried out a Zumba class and loved it. Many other instructors also started out their careers by attending classes at the Rec, and enjoying it so much that they went back for more. Siegel was looking for a new “buddy” he could lift weights with when he happened across a Body Pump class. He now teaches Body Pump and Zumba. “I was walking by and heard music I liked,” Siegel said. “I started doing Body Pump every Tuesday and Thursday and became friends with the instructors.” These friendships kindled Siegel’s interest in also being an instructor. Applying to be an instructor involves not only an application but also an interview and an audition. When an applicant is accepted, he or she goes through a training period of giving classes in conjunction with another instructor, and then eventually gives classes solo. Aside from giving classes several times per week, instructors also train on their own in a variety of ways. To biology major Andrew Koons ’15, the spinning and Body Pump classes he gives are sometimes workouts tailored to his triathlon training.
“I give three classes a week and sometimes sub for other instructors,” Koons said. “Finding time to fit in my
Dance instructors sway to the beat in class.
triathlon workouts can be hard, so I have to be efficient … Sometimes a spinning class can take care of a workout I need.” Neuroscience major Emily Bainwol ’14 augments her Body Pump and Body Combat classes with long runs. “I am currently training for my first full marathon. Nothing beats group fitness, but sometimes it’s nice to take time to myself to run,” Bainwol said. “It also allows me to create new personal goals that are different from goals I strive for within Campus Rec.” To be a fitness instructor, it is a given that you have to love fitness. But that is not all that makes this job special. Duckworth said that the best part for her is seeing others succeed. “There is no better feeling than seeing participants progress at skills they had previously struggled with,” Duckworth said. “The biggest reward is seeing smiles and confidence at the end of class that you didn’t see at the beginning.” For Siegel, teaching a fitness class is foremost a group experience because everyone works toward the common goal of getting more fit. “I love having classes that scream with me and get really into it,” Siegel said. “We’re all working together and we’ll finish together. Everyone feels like a part of it.” As in any job, occasionally these instructors run into unexpected difficulties. Bainwol noted that the
All the President’s ghosts
Horrifying history behind the College’s rich paranormal legacy BY AINE CAIN FLAT HAT VARIETY EDITOR
Tour guides at the College of William and Mary say living in the President’s House comes with the perk of having “the world’s best commute.” What they don’t tell you is that the home also comes with one of the world’s scariest roommates. Fortunately, current College President Taylor Reveley has yet to experience severe paranormal activity. “It’s true. My wife and I do share the President’s House with the ghost of a French soldier who died there during the siege of Yorktown,” Reveley said in an email. “So far, he’s been quite well behaved. My wife says that a closet door on the second floor closes inexplicably every now and then. This is doubtless the French spirit’s doing as he roams the house at night. But the ghost and I have yet to cross paths. Very disappointing.” The ghostly inhabitant of the President’s House was likely a young casualty of the
Battle of Yorktown. During the fighting, the President’s House was purportedly converted into a hospital for wounded French soldiers. The third floor is said to have housed the direst cases. “Past Presidents of the College claim to have heard unexplained footsteps in the night; they’ve told of slamming doors,” Original Ghosts of Williamsburg Candlelit Tour Guide Clare Britcher said. “During a
building repair, a skeleton was found in the wall. Is it the frightened young boy who died on foreign soil still looking for a way home? Does he even know he is dead? All that is known is that the haunting appears to continue, and in fact, may never end.” Perhaps the specter survived the fighting, only to perish in the flames that consumed the building shortly later— the fault of a few careless French officers occupying the structure. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Research Historian and Associate of the Omohundro Institute for Early American History and Culture Dr. Taylor Stoermer also speculated about the College’s haunted past, explaining that school-owned slaves originally
greatest difficulty for her is turning patrons away. Popular classes often fill up so quickly that not everyone who shows up can participate. On the other hand, Koons said that being a fitness instructor allows people to see him as more than just someone who gives out workouts. “You’re put in the spotlight as a role model, both in classes and outside of classes,” Koons said. When a fitness instructor encounters these difficulties, they must bear them with grace while continuing to dance, bike, or repeat a move to the beat of a pop song. In other instances, the weird or unpredictable occurs. Bainwol described an incident that happened while doing jump squats during a Body Pump class. “I decided not to wear the microphone belt that day but instead tucked it into the side of my pants, (and) it went flying across the room when the jump squats commenced,” Bainwol said. “Many of the participants froze mid-track, and I just yelled, ‘Keep jump squatting!’” As a job, as a workout and as an opportunity to share fun, healthy, and lifelong habits with others, being a fitness instructor rewards everyone who does it. “I am so passionate about this. I’ll be doing it for the rest of my life,” Siegel said. “When my kids are in high school, I’ll be taking them to Body Pump.”
The Flat Hat investigates the
Ghosts of Williamsburg Check back next week for more haunting features
constructed the President’s House. He also noted that the College has the most haunted campus in America, largely because of the harrowing history upon which it — and Williamsburg itself — has been built. “[During the Revolutionary War], hundreds of soldiers did die in the Governor’s Palace and are buried behind it,” Stoermer said in an email. “Their presence — and their sacrifice — can still be felt. There was a young loyalist officer who had been a Harvard student and was buried in Williamsburg with full military honors by Lord Cornwallis, but his grave location was lost, so he is rumored to sometimes be seen looking for it.” Stoermer enjoys a good ghost story, especially Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” but he does not believe in the concept of “ghosts as
paranormal manifestations unexplained by scientific methods.” He most enjoys the legends built on concrete historical facts, viewing ghost stories as impressions left by people long gone. “[Williamsburg is] certainly haunted by its rich past,” Stoermer said in an email. “Everywhere one turns, one is confronted by its fascinating history and the people who made it. Through each of those accounts we can help make the past more personal, and not so remote, even if it’s through a ghost story. In a sense, although it seems counterintuitive, ghost stories help bring the past alive when they’re based on real people who lived through — or didn’t live through — extraordinary times.”
GRAPHIC BY SARAH THORESEN / THE FLAT HAT
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ALUMNI
Friday, October 25, 2013 | Page 8
Bring it
HOME JACK POWERS // FLAT HAT SPORTS EDITOR
can’t wait until I’m old enough to remember “I when I was good,” former defensive back Steve McNamee ’81 said.
Numerous William and Mary graduates, traveling from around the globe, will return to the campus they used to call home this weekend. For alumni of the football team, the weekend takes on additional meaning with the annual Homecoming football game. COURTESY PHOTO / TRIBE ATHLETICS
For many Tribe football players, the red-brick refinement of Zable Stadium will always hold a special place in their memories. Wherever they live, whatever they do, football alumni feel a compulsion to look down once more upon the 120 yards of turf where they spent their Saturdays so long ago. Images of past Homecoming games are relived all down the field — some sweet, some bitter. “There was quite a build up to my senior year Homecoming game in 1997 against Villanova,” former defensive tackle Peter Coyne ’98 said in an email. “They were ranked No. 1 and earlier that season we defeated No. 2 Georgia Southern. It was a painful loss because it meant ... missing the NCAA playoffs. On a brighter note, I fondly recall Brian Shallcross [’98], our All-American placekicker, [kicking] a field goal with three seconds on the clock to seal a victory against Villanova in 1995.” The Homecoming game stands out from the other home games during the season. As much as current players assert that Saturday’s game will be just like all the others, alumni know better. “I think there were more distractions
that week,” Coyne said. “For instance, you’d see some of your former teammates coming back for practice. Also, many of the guys who were returning were 40-60 pounds lighter than the last time you saw them.” With old teammates returning to campus, there is added pressure to impress during Homecoming. Players strive to prove they belong in the same tradition that has spawned decades of successful players, many of who watch from the stands. “I will always remember seeing former players and alumni in the stands and wanting to put on a good show for them,” said former defensive lineman Ed Zaptin ’00. Coming back as an alumnus, however, is an entirely different situation — and the small modifications to the program tend to stand out. “A turf field with lights is new to me,” Coyne said in an email. “Walt Zable [’37], ‘Flying’ Jack Cloud [’50] and most of us played on grass.” But what sets the program apart is its constancy: Jimmye Laycock has
been head coach for 34 years, and Zable Stadium predates him by 44 years. Former players know what to expect when they return for Homecoming, not only in the facilities and personnel, but also in the character of the team. Alumni affirm that being a Tribe football player and, more specifically, being mentored by Laycock, provide a testament to one’s quality beyond football, which is a major reason why former players choose to stay connected. “Coach Laycock’s approach structures the program in such a way that folks will want to be connected, and to remain connected, and to learn about the people that are playing their position or wearing their jersey number,” Coyne said. Post-graduate success of Tribe football players vindicates Laycock’s approach. “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that three of the members of the Board of Visitors are former football players,” former offensive lineman Mario Shaffer ’84 said. Homecoming provides former players an opportunity to reconnect with their old teammates and other former players,
FOOTBALL
College focuses on Dukes Laycock calls for defensive, offensive urgency after loss BY CHRIS WEBER FLAT HAT SPORTS EDITOR Head coach Jimmye Laycock promises this Saturday isn’t different from any other Saturday. “No different preparation. Every game is the most important game,” Laycock said to Tribe Athletics. “We gotta get ourselves ready.” Following last week’s 34-20 drubbing to Maine, however, this Saturday is drastically different from any other Saturday. The College (4-2, 1-2 CAA) hosts No. 19 James Madison (5-2, 2-1 CAA) as it struggles to stay abreast of the conference’s elite teams. If last week foreshadows a trend, Laycock has reason to place an emphasis on Saturday’s tilt. With starting sophomore tailback Mikal Abdul-Saboor sidelined with an injury, Laycock’s offense sputtered in Maine. “I don’t think we played our best, by any stretch, for whatever reason,” Laycock said to Tribe Athletics. “I know our coaches and players are very disappointed in not playing a better game up there.” Laycock’s disappointment stems from several fronts, including lackluster play from the run game. Without Abdul-Saboor, who is dealing with a knee injury, the Tribe mustered just 130 yards with six different rushers against Maine. Laycock listed Abdul-Saboor as “very unlikely” to play against James Madison, placing the onus Laycock on redshirt freshman Kendell Anderson and junior Keith McBride to pick up the slack. Without Abdul-Saboor, the Tribe figures to rely more heavily upon the quarterback position. Graham’s performance left much to be desired last week. Graham threw just 58 yards through three quarters. Laycock pulled Graham for senior Brent Caprio in the fourth quarter, prompting questions of who would start the James Madison game. “I don’t think [Graham] played great, but he played pretty solid. … The reason I put Cap[rio] in late, the game was pretty close [to over], and I wanted to get Cap game experience. He’s gotten better and better each week with his [injured] ankle,” Laycock said to the Daily Press.
HOMECOMING GAME
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The College takes on James Madison Saturday. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. . Fans can follow @FlatHatSports for coverage and analysis.
Despite the poor outing, Laycock stuck with his starter, confirming Graham would begin the game. One caveat exists, however. “I think everybody on offense is on a shorter leash after [Maine],” Laycock said to the Daily Press. “We’ve got to get better offensively, [we’re] just kind of stuck in neutral right now.” The College will face a stiff challenge in the James Madison defense, which enters Saturday with the nation’s seventh best rush defense, allowing 97 yards a game. Conversely, the Tribe defense is coming off its worst performance of the season. Defensive coordinator Scott Boone’s unit allowed a season-high 34 points, with 24 of those points coming in the first half against Maine. Even with the poor showing, the College still owns the third best scoring defense and eighth best total defense in the nation. Despite the uninspiring play last week, Laycock doesn’t doubt his team’s ability to respond positively. “It’s kind of the make-up of our program. We work to get ready each week, put the last one behind us, learn from it, and move forward,” Laycock said to Tribe Athletics. “We know a lot about [James Madison], their personnel, and they’re certainly playing very well.” The College played the Dukes last season, failing to convert a go-ahead two-point conversion in double overtime, resulting in a 27-26 loss. Overall, James Madison has won 20 of the 35 contests with the College in a series that dates back to 1978. Saturday marks the third time the programs have met on Homecoming. The College won the 2009 contest 24-3 after falling 28-22 in 1987. Despite Laycock’s insistence on the regularity of Saturday’s game, even he can’t deny the excitement. “This is a big game for us. We’re playing an instate rival, a nationally ranked team,” Laycock said.
share stories and cheer on the Tribe. The camaraderie felt between Tribe players transcends age. “I don’t know what word to put to it, but there’s a bond between William and Mary players — a tremendous bond,” McNamee said. “All you really hear are stories. I especially love hearing the stories from the older guys, who played in the 40s and 50s. But I’ll talk to a former teammate and they might not remember it the way I do. That’s the fun of it.” A major component of the fraternal affinity between Tribe players, young and old, is the shared experience, often exhaustion, of being a student athlete. Finding harmony between the two callings can be a challenge for any young adult, especially those that perform in front of large, expectant crowds each week. But the athletic department makes sure that players have their priorities in order. Alumni stress that this is the key to what makes being a football player at William and Mary such a rewarding experience. “The commonality between players past and present is not only the structure of the program, but also the integrity and
the intensity of the academics at William and Mary, and really the commitment to being a student-athlete,” Coyne said. “I think that’s the foundation. It’s an incredible opportunity, a privilege, really, to play for a school like William and Mary.” Even though their playing days are long behind them, football alumni still find themselves annually trekking from all over the map back to Williamsburg for the Homecoming festivities. “I try to head back every year for the game,” Shaffer said. “It’s a great feeling being able to go back and see old friends that you haven’t seen in far too long.” As foggy as their memories may be of the Homecoming games they played during their time wearing green and gold, these football alumni were resolute with their picks for Saturday’s Homecoming game between the Tribe and James Madison. “Please don’t ever ask me that question again,” Zaptin said. “I’m going with the Tribe,” McNamee said. “I know we’re underdogs, but it’s Homecoming and that should help, or at least it did when I was there.”
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Belaya, Loomans fall in finals
Virginia tops duo 8-4 to end four-game win streak BY CHRIS WEBER FLAT HAT SPORTS EDITOR As the nation’s seventh-ranked duo, the tournament’s No. 1 seed and last year’s champions, seniors Maria Belaya and Jeltje Loomans entered the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Atlantic Region Doubles Championship as the heavy favorites. After winning four matches in four days, Belaya and Loomans lost to Virginia’s Rachel Pierson and Julia Elbaba 8-2 in the title match Tuesday afternoon. Belaya and Loomans faced the No. 9-seeded tandem from Virginia Tech, Raluca Mita and Francesca Fusinato, in the semifinal match Tuesday morning. Belaya and Loomans won
relatively easily, 8-4, to advance to the afternoon finals match. Despite the loss in the championship, the duo are still eligible to receive an at-large bid to the United States Tennis Association/ITA National Intercollegiate Championships at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Ny. Nov. 7-10. Belaya and Loomans highlighted a strong weekend for the College. Four players advanced to the round of 16 in singles play. Belaya fell in the singles quarterfinals, while Loomans recorded two upsets en route to the singles semifinals. In doubles, three Tribe duos played into the second round, while Belaya and Loomans led the program with their run into the finals.