Senior Softball Stars
BY CAMILLE BENZ cebenz@vwu.edu
Glitter, rhinestones and flowers, oh my! Seniors can finally decorate their graduation caps.
A student council headed by Heidi Brinker, Wynter Bond and Brittany Hockey crafted a mortarboard decoration proposal for Provost Timothy O’Rourke. After receiving researched information on how cap decorations functioned in other universities, O’Rourke and the students came to an agreement that seniors will be allowed to express their achievements through decorations for the upcoming graduation ceremony in May.
Senior Carolina Jesse is excited for the change. “I think it’s a good idea. I would definitely do it. Students can be creative, we can express ourselves through our caps instead of them being boring,” Jesse said. “What better way to express yourself and the happiness of being able to say that you have made it? It’s a fun thing to do… There shouldn’t be limits to how one wants to celebrate their achievement unless the message is profane or vulgar.”
Jesse wants to represent her biology major with the decorations. “I would decorate mine with a biology or chemistry pun, or a quote by a famous female scientist,” Jesse said.
Fellow senior Ashantiana Jackson also welcomes the change. “Being able to decorate my graduation cap means the world to me. It means that I can express this overcoming joy of reigning victorious after nearly completing my undergraduate degree. Out of my six siblings, only three of us went to college,” Jackson said.
Jackson wants her cap to symbolically represent her journey to graduation. “It also represents my first step in
my career and eventually going to medical school. I can’t wait to put my quote on my cap and just be able to keep it as a keepsake that will motivate me for future endeavors,” Jackson said.
A full list of the rules about cap decoration will be sent to all seniors in a letter. Profanity and crude political messages are prohibited, among other things. Decorations can only be two-dimensional and may not rise above the mortarboard more than a half-inch. No loose glitter is allowed, and the caps may not make noise. The letter will also provide suggestions on what messages would be tasteful and kind.
The Student Government Association (SGA) agreed to take responsibility and initiative on the issue. SGA members, including Hockey, will be responsible during the Commencement Ceremony to watch out for inappropriate caps. If such circumstances occur, two designated faculty members are to approach the student and replace the cap with a non-decorated one.
“I value when students take responsibility for ensuring that any activity on campus fits within the spirit and values of the campus” O’Rourke said.
While other campuses across the nation have been celebrating for years with bedazzling stations, students at VWU just beginning to enjoy this change. There have been petitions in the past for cap decorations, but not have been successful until now.
SGA voted in favor of the change.
“We’ve been working on this since last fall and it came to its conclusion a week or two before spring break,” Hockey said. She emphasized the importance of the graduating class respecting the rules. “In doing this, the Class of 2018 will begin a tradition for all students at Virginia Wesleyan University.”
SGA Vice President Brittany Hockey said that the committee was originally formed after a group of students came to the SGA asking for help changing the rules. The
Have a great idea for a graduation cap? Send in your suggestions and pictures to nlhart@vwu.edu or tag us on social media @marlinchronicle #gradcap for a chance to be featured in the next issue.
TUCKER
Thanks to a tuition freeze, full-time students at Virginia Wesleyan University will pay the same rate of tuition in the 2018-19 academic year as they did this year. During the freeze, tuition will remain at $36,010.
According to a report from the State Council for Higher Education for Virginia, there is a predicted average increase of 5.4% or $422 for four-year institutions. The freeze will exempt incoming and current students from this increase, but not from other mandatory fees such as room and board, meal plans and technology fees.
President Scott D. Miller said the freeze was approved by the Board of Trustees. In a press release, Miller said that he and the board “recognize that higher education is a substantial investment for students and their families.” He also said they “reaffirmed the importance of affordability and access to quality higher education. It is essential for us to work with our students and their families to make that possible.”
The Virginia Wesleyan University administration shared the word about the tuition freeze through many forms of social media, including Facebook and Instagram. The university’s website has also made a formal announcement. You may have also seen it mentioned in
one of President Scott D. Miller’s daily nota bene.
“I saw the news about the tuition freeze on Twitter,” junior Alizae Dollins said.
Sophomore Jayla Cross said she read about the tuition freeze in an email.
Some are unsure about the relevance of the freeze, perhaps due in part to the fact that very little has been shared about it.
“I don’t really know what this means or how it’s going to impact my life,” said freshman Shannon Harris. Not much is known about next year’s tuition freeze other than the obvious statement that tuition for the next academic year is going to remain the same as this current year. There has been no information released regarding whether other expenses, such as room and board or meal plans, will also be price-locked or if they will increase.
According to an article published in “The Wesleyan Review,” Virginia Wesleyan hasn’t had a tuition freeze for 20 years. The
1998.
Val Miller| Marlin Chronicle
Sam Jackson Photography |Courtesy
‘March for our lives’
The March for Our Lives event was was a student-led demonstration held in Washington D.C. on March 24 in support of stricter gun control. There were performances by well-known singers, and a crowd of over 800,000 estimated people in Washington D.C. Signs upon signs with messages were held up by both children and adults, with sayings ranging from “I should be writing my college essays, not my eulogy” to “Am I next?” to “Take the NRA down.” The contributor of the story participated in the march. This serves as a unique reflection of her experience. The views expressed do not reflect the views of the Marlin Chronicle.
All content provided
BY ALLAINA BOGGS arboggs@vwu.edu
“Students came to me with a thoughtful proposal that showed a number of other institutions allowed it and that offered set rules we could apply,” O’Rourke said. Despite the approved change, not all of the administration were pleased.
“There are faculty members that are against it,” Hockey said, but providing adequate research and creating a safety net for possible inappropriate messages helped faculty see how the change could be both positive and regulated. In part, the opposition seems to stem from the break in tradition.
Provost O’Rourke confirmed that some faculty would prefer a more traditional approach, but also said that they realize it is 2018 seniors who are graduating after all. “I ask the students to exercise good judgement,” O’Rourke said.
Hockey also explained that Virginia Wesleyan was the only co-ed university in Virginia that did not permit cap decorations, with the exception of Norfolk State University (NSU). Wesleyan was also the only local religiouslyaffiliated university that did not permit decorations.
Keeping campus safe
A series of persepectives on gun control in the academic world
BY MICKELLA RAST mjrast@vwu.edu
With the March for Our Lives event not far behind us, and student protests still continuing across the country, the last installation in the “Keeping Campus Safe” series focuses on a student’s perspective. Madalyn Chevalier is a junior who has followed the events of the Parkland shooting and successive outcry but is also a “firm believer” in the Second Amendment and owns guns.
“I definitely think that guns should absolutely be discussed in an academic setting, especially because they’ve affected the school system so much. I think, you know, you give power to something by being afraid of it and talking about it and being educated about it is super important,” Chevalier said.
Though she is gratified that the issue has sparked more education about guns, she is also unsure about one solution that would work for every setting. She believes that security guards and other personnel should be allowed to carry guns, but does not extend these views to others on campus. For example, students should not be allowed to bring guns on campus, whether or not they meet age requirements or pass competency tests. “At first I was all super gung-ho about saying ‘yes, Second Amendment rights,’ being allowed to carry guns on campus, but the more that I thought about it the more I see the concern,” she said. “I would like to think that it would be a good idea for us to be able exercise our Second Amendment rights, but honestly I don’t know how I would feel sitting in class next to someone packing heat. I don’t think that’s the appropriate
setting.”
“I think carrying guns would just make students feel more uncomfortable versus less,” she added.
This view is also true of faculty and administration. “It’s the same kind of principle. If I saw my teacher standing in front of the classroom teaching a lesson with a gun on his hip I don’t know how I’d feel,” she said.
Instead of arming people who come on campus, Chevalier wants to focus on education and preventative measures.
“I think we should have methods for deterrence, not for fatalities,” she said.
rying pepper spray or other defense items mentioned in the last article should be utilized by anyone who wishes to use them.
“I think those kinds of [selfdefense] things should be fine, as long as they’re not fatal. I think the issue with guns is that, if you shoot somebody with a gun it’s not just going to hamper them from hurting you, it’s going to be something that detrimental to their health and possibly kill them,” Chevalier said.
“But I definitely think students should be allowed to carry pepper spray and stuff like that.” She suggested tasers as another source of protection and pointed out that several companies now make them to resemble more commonplace items, such as cell phones.
I definitely think that guns should absolutely be discussed in an academic setting especially, because they’ve affected the school system so much. I think, you know, you give power to something by being afraid of it and talking about it and being educated about it is super important
Madalyn Chevalier
Though the campus does hold seminars on what do to in case an active shooter comes on campus, there is comparatively low participation in and awareness about the events. Chevalier suggested that running students through mandatory shooter drills would be more effective.
“It’s all fun and games to say ‘yeah, sure, this is what you do,’ but if someone comes in with a gun there’s going to be panic, and students need to have a practiced idea of what they’re doing to avoid people getting hurt needlessly,” she said. “We do fire drills, we do tornado drills, maybe it’s time to do those kinds of drills.”
However, she made it clear that she is not against self-defense. On the contrary, she believes that everyone should know how to defend themselves and be prepared to do so. Proactive measures such as car-
Other academic institutions have proposed different measures to protect students that involve no weapons at all. Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school, the original site of the Parkland shooting that left 17 dead, now requires students to wear clear backpacks. The students have protested against this, claiming that they are ineffective.
Chevalier objects to this measure because of the privacy violations it brings, as well. “I’m a woman, I have all kinds of crap in my purse and in my backpack. And honestly I don’t feel like it’s anyone’s business what I have in my backpack, especially when it comes to things like medications and female hygiene products. I don’t really want to bare that to the world,” she said. Ironically, one of the forms of protest Parkland students used was to fill their newly-mandated clear backpacks with tampons.
CAPS CONTINUED FROM FRONT
The MARLIN CHRONICLE
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Adviser Dr. Lisa Lyon Payne
Watch your words
BY MORGAN BOYD mnboyd@vwu.edu
Over the past semester, it has become apparent that there has been an issue the playing of loud music and foul language. Dean of Students Jason Seward, assistant vice president of Student Affairs have been working closely with Student Government Association to advise the community of Virginia Wesleyan University to watch their words and not to blast music openly.
“The signs were put up by Student Affairs Staff because they wanted to make sure the language being used in a public venue like Batten was appropriate for large area ranges: i.e. children and parents/staff…,” said Nicholas Hipple, President of SGA and senior at Virginia Wesleyan University.
Last semester, Seward noticed an increase of private conversation in certain places of the campus that were an inappropriate use of graphic language turning public, as well as the increase in popularity of Bluetooth speakers.
Rather it’s coming from someone’s backpack or cell phone it is increasingly disruptive to students who may be studying, classes that are being had, or something as simple as a person eating lunch. He says,”...it has everything to do with being a community, that’s being respectful, that’s tactful, that’s tasteful.”
Batten is a busy place from morning to night. From visitors to tours to athletic competitions to faculty and staff walking, the space should be complemented with appropriate behavior. Most importantly the students that work, live, play here and these conversations that are usually taken place in the privacy of one’s living are displayed for public consumption. “Increase of inappropriate language and decrease in decorum,” Seward said, and he is not the only one who thinks that.
Brittany Hockey, Vice President of SGA and senior at Virginia Wesleyan said, “Some are embarrassed to bring their parents here because if you walk through The Grille somebody is dropping F-bombs.” In some cases, students use the excuse or what someone may call it as “a part of American culture” and that curse words are just accepted language.
Looking a little deeper, graphic language in business societal standards is frowned upon. For example, if someone was to use curse words during a business meeting, that person would be fired or asked to leave that meeting and dealt with later. To think of this situation as common knowledge to a community of higher learning, it surely lacks it.
The main reason is to catch to attention of the students. So putting them up place where students usually look is a great way to start. Seward’s idea is to create an community of higher learning and positive empowerment. Seward said, “We are recruiting agents of change...we
Club showcase
Attention Marlins
Do you have a club or organization that needs some attention?
If you answered “yes” to that question, we have a solution for you.
--Scott D. Miller,
Simply email your club’s name and a little bit of information about it to Community Section editor Cynthia Griffin at clgriffin@vwu.edu.
need to enlist those who are very influential in our community among their peers and classmates.” In the turn of events, Seward wants to make it known that this is not a sort of enforcement that is one sided, but rather continuously brought up by any visitors that come through this campus, faculty, staff, students, etc. In addition to the signs, he addresses it first hand if he is in earshot of those specific conversations further stating that it makes the community look “classless.”
“We are an institution of higher learning. We are a university. We are a community of different races, creeds, colors, but at the end of the day we have to be one that is appropriate, and some or the things that we have witnessed are concerning,” Seward ended.
Lighthouse Spotlight
Tremain Torre Senior International Studies
What was your study away?
“My study abroad was at Oriel College of the University of Oxford. The classes I attended were Behavioral Economics, Business and Legal Communication, and Ethics and Logic. We studied how people react to products, price changes, trades, and how people choose products if based on location, trends, or social status. For Business and Legal Communication, we focused on how business language has changed over the course of history and how to write up documents for domestic and international contracts.”
How was your study away experience helpful?
“I have already completed what I wanted, that of serving in the Army. Going to Oxford was a personal goal of mine and just supplemented my academics. It helped me see a different side of politics by witnessing the United Kingdom’s parliamentary system at work. I was also able to witness how business is done in the UK.”
What was your most memorable experience?
“My most memorable moment was interacting with the locals. We went to a pub that was visited frequently by Bill Clinton back when he attended Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar.”
What was most surprising about studying abroad?
“In my study away program there were many professional students that had bachelor’s, master’s, and one with a doctoral degree. One of my friends told me that their school pays most of their study away journey in order for them to experience Western culture.”
Tremain received funding for study abroad through SHIPP. For more information on SHIPP, undergraduate research, internships, and study away, contact The Lighthouse: Center for Exploration and Discovery.
Julie Ainsley|Marlin Chronicle
One of the many advisory signs hanging around Batten Center.
Photo Credit: Eric Xiang
CAMPUS countdown
April 14
Seafood in the Dell
Time: 4:30 p.m.- 6:30p.m.
Location: Univeristy Commons
The 36th Annual Seafood Party in the Dell will feature a delicious menu, Kona Ice and a fun musical performance by the BJ Griffin Duo.
Get to know the director of Res Life
Director of Res Life David Stuebing reflects on his past in the field of student affairs and the upcoming fall housing selection process
BY EMILY VIAL esvial@vwu.edu
Sitting down with the new director of Residence Life, David Stuebing, it was clear to see that the smiling man in the well-tailored, deep blue suit has a lot on his plate. Given the stacks of paperwork on his desk, and the knowledge that the Housing Lottery for the Fall semester is impending, this is no surprise.
Port Day Oral and Poster Presentation Workshop
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: The Lighthouse
This workshop will explain the technical elements of poster design and poster content. For more information contact the CDIP staff at 757.455.3107 or careerdevelopment@vwu. edu.
April 18
Instrumental Ensembles
Time: 7:30 p.m
Location: Hofheimer Theater
The Wesleyan Jazz Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble and Orchestral Ensemble perform under the direction of Dr. Jason Squinobal and Dr. Sam Dorsey. This student music performance is in Hofheimer Theater. For reservations, call 757.455.3282.
April 22
Annual Strike Out Cancer Day
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Marlins Park softball field
More than $100,000 has been raised for the American Cancer Society in the last nine years and the 2018 goal is $25,000. The entire community is invited to participate in this important fundraiser.
Born and raised in Zambia, in central Africa, Stuebing came to the United States and attended Purdue University in Indiana. In his words, “fresh from boarding school in Kenya, that was kind of a study abroad experience.” Stuebing also said that with his special circumstances, “I have a soft spot in my heart for students where going home is more complicated.”
In his time at Purdue, Stuebing moved from major to major, through engineering, then computer science, then graduated in psychology with minors in anthropology and organizational leadership. He then continued at Purdue to get his Masters in Education with a focus in college student development. “I gave myself a liberal arts education at a technical school,” Stuebing said.
He got his start in Resident Life as a resident advisor. As part of his programming, he and his residents took part in Purdue’s “Adopt-aSport” program and became the Women’s Volleyball team’s biggest fans. What was once an underdog team at Purdue, is now one of the bigger contenders in the division and Stuebing credits that in part to the morale boost and sportsmanship of the fan section he helped to cultivate. “It just kind of became a perfect storm and spiralled up into something great,” Stuebing said.
Stuebing went on to become a youth pastor in central Pennsylvania and worked as an intern at Messiah College after finishing his graduate program. Then he moved on to Washington College in the Eastern Shore, as an assistant director of Residence Life where is he served for seven years. “This gave me a lot of experience in creating what we want to see,” Stuebing said. He described his time at Washington College as “tumultuous” and “full of transition,” something the Wesleyan student body is familiar with, as Washington College also rotated through a handful of directors of Residence Life in Stuebung’s time with them. “Working through those dynamics set the stage well for being here,” Stuebing said.
Going into the housing selection process for the fall, David offered some insight on this year’s model and the challenges of this year’s situation. Residence Life will be continuing with the StarRez system that was integrated last year in order to maintain the most fair practice
for all students. He also made note that the selection process will be completed before finals week this year in order to alleviate student and staff stress. Stuebing did acknowledge that there would be some students who are inevitably upset by the results of the lottery, but had an optimistic point of view. David said that students “need to know how to have those conversations,” whether it be between incompatible roommates or suitemates, or between student and RA, he believes these are valuable learning experiences that prepare students for the challenges of the real world. “Everything we do should be preparing students for life beyond college,” Stuebing said.
For students he has three tips, and one request. 1. Clear all holds from the business office -- fast 2. Register for classes as soon as possible. 3. Plan ahead and have a backup on backups to avoid ending up on the waiting list.
Finally, David wants students to know this: “if anyone sees my toddler, he loves fist bumps, so he would love it if everybody fist bumped him.”
Alphas welcome new members
BY MARLYN SILVA mhsilva@vwu.edu
CRIME BLOTTER
April 2
April 17 Bench
Courtesy|Thinkstock
April 7 Greer 7:57 a.m.|Vandalism
On a college campus, there are various types of clubs and organizations that make the college experience worthwhile. An intricate part of Virginia Wesleyan is the various Greek organizations that are currently active on this campus. All of them serve a unique role and have their own, unique presence within campus life. An important part of the Greek community is also welcoming any new member into their organization who share the same values and standards they uphold and believe in.
Two Greek organizations that have recently welcomed new members are Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. As both organizations welcomed their new brothers and sisters, who stood out the most, in particular, was Alpha Phi Alpha. They respectively accepted into their fraternity, junior Cameron Irby and freshmen Ryan Richardson. Although, what makes the fraternity stand out is the recent steps they have taken in order to be even more inclusive, meaning not just within their men, race, etc. but with sexual orientation as well.
Richardson identifies himself as gay and not only wishes to provide more encouragement for other students to join the fraternity but to also bring more diversity within the organization as well. “Hopefully that’ll show people that may have thought ‘Oh, I couldn’t do it because I’m gay’ or because I’m you know, not even gay just like ‘Oh, I’m white, I can’t join because it’s a black fraternity’. Hopefully, this will show them that ‘Oh, I can do it too if I’m interested’ or ‘I can’ not just because this organization says black men. Most people think when they think of a fraternity, they think of real buff, straight guys, but now we all come in different shapes and sizes,” Richardson said.
The Dean and Financial Secretary and Treasurer of Alpha Phi Alpha, Junior Myles Stevens, believes that this is a good sign and step towards growth and progress. “We’re not just remaining stagnant throughout on this campus. From our perspective, for him being openly gay, that shows we’re progressing as a chapter and as
individuals. Basically, he beat the odds himself,” said Stevens.
The president of the fraternity, and junior, Anthony Bowden, stressed that being inclusive can only help their members to prosper.
“We recognize the fraternity as being an institution to where all men, can grow, meaning of diverse background, as long as you are a male, you are able to join the organization and you still hold high the mission statement as well as the goals and objectives of the fraternity.”
Being open and inclusive to any male is certainly not a new concept for the men of Alpha Phi Alpha. “It first became integrated in 1945 and that was when we let entry of our first member who is not of African American descent, he was actually a white male. Since then we have been growing, since 1906, we’ve really been growing as an organization to accommodate the needs of all males,” Bowden explaineds.
Overall, Richardson is more than happy to be a part of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. “I feel accomplished for one and I also feel like I joined something that is bigger than myself. Now I can actually reach out help people more than just how I was doing before. I can actually touch people in a different light and in a different way.” Richardson also believes that the ability to be inclusive is certainly important as it shows a positive sign of progression. “This is how you grow as an organization.”
As a fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha strongly upholds principles of acceptance. “We say love for all mankind. We recognize not everybody looks like us and not everybody may share the same goals as us, political viewpoints, and sexuality goes in that as well. Not all of us like women, not all of us like men, but we do recognize that we all have that one drive that’s for self-development and using that self-development to better our communities,” Bowden remarked. As Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity continues being inclusive, it can only make the experience for students who are interested in joining even more rewarding.
Allaina Boggs|Marlin Chronicle
David Stuebing began his new position in January of 2018
Cameron Irby|Courtesy
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated welcomed two new members during their probate in the Marlin Grille on March 17.
Marlin
$5
transcripts
Wesleyan charges students for transcripts.
BY JONATHAN JOYNER jrjoyner@vwu.edu
As students, we struggle to keep up with the day-to-day financial issues that arise in college. Whether the expenses are related to school or not, we must always continue to stay on top of them. I bring this point up because of a recent change that Virginia Wesleyan has made concerning our transcripts.
Starting back in January, VWU now charges five dollars per copy for transcripts. This is a change from the previous system in which you could go to the Registrar’s Office and ask for a copy of the transcripts for free, request transcripts through Web Advisor for free, or pay three dollars for transcripts to be sent out to a specific location. From what I have seen, most students did not even know that school began charging for transcripts. To me,
be charged unless the service is being used. I may not know the particulars of how the school works through its budget, but I have enough money-sense to know that $4800 a year is a healthy bit money to be spending for nothing.
The school had two options for handling this pricing change: find a new vendor and hope for the best or begin charging a standard fee per transcript request. The school decided to go with a mix of both options. We now have a new vendor called National Student Clearinghouse. Together with this new vendor, the school decided to begin charging a standard $5 fee for each request.
Now before any of you conspiracy theorists try to say that the school is just trying to take money from us, you
Students have to pay $5 per copy for their transcripts.
this change, though not much of a pressing issue, does need to be known by the students. To me, $5 is a fair price to for a simple copy of our transcripts because of the process the school now has to go through to get you a copy in the first place.
The reason for this change is actually one that we, as students, would not be expected to know about or understand. To obtain a copy of your transcripts online before, the school would send the request through an online vendor they had handling all the transcript requests. This vendor, known as Credential Solutions, recently sought to change their pricing model. They decided that, whether students used the online request for transcripts or not, the school would be charged around $4800 a year for their services. To me, this is insane because the school should not
would be wrong, because the school only keeps $2.75 of the five dollar charge; the difference goes to National Student Clearinghouse.
Honestly, I am not fond of paying any more money to the school than I have to, but I believe the school made the right call with this decision. Yes, we pay five dollars for a copy of our own transcripts, but the school had to choose between that and wasting almost $5000 a year on a service that may not be worth that much money based on student usage That kind of gamble is not financially sound and I applaud the school’s decision. That $4800 could be used on other, more important things like keeping this campus running, expanding the campus, upgrading our facilities and enhancing our experience here at Wesleyan.
Tution freeze: students react
BY FARAH HAIDARI fahaidari@vwu.edu
The Board of Trustees met earlier this year and reached the conclusion that the school should not raise tuition for the 2018-2019 school year. For the last 20 years, the school has been raising its tuition on a yearly basis.
According to the press release sent on March 15, “We recognize that higher education is a substantial investment for students and their families,” President Scott Miller said. Miller also said, “At their winter meeting last month, our Trustees reaffirmed the importance of affordability and access to quality higher education. It is essential for us to work with our students and their families to make that possible.” It’s great that the school is finally realizing this because continually raising tuition is a financial burden on families.
Senior Lydia O’Conner is happy that the school is finally freezing tuition, but not happy that it took them this long to take the initiative. “I think it’s frustrating because it (tuition) has risen almost every school year… As a senior, it makes me wish that they did it before,” O’Connor said. O’Connor also wishes the school would offer a grandfather clause where students would be locked in to the same tuition rate they paid their freshman year. “When I was a freshman, it was a few thousand less than it is now and it would have been nice if they had a grandfather clause. Then, it would stay the same for the four years,” O’Connor said.
Metal over man
Tech companies such as Amazon and Facebook cause humanitarian concerns.
BY ASHLEY KLINE aakline@vwu.edu
Many think of new technological advancements as blessings, but what if they’re simply wolves in sheeps’ clothing? Recent controversies with internetbased companies, such as Facebook and Amazon, beg the question whether or not such companies should be regulated. I say that changing climates call for changes of policies.
Recently, Amazon has acquired Whole Foods, a grocery store centered on providing healthy food options. In the spirit of full disclosure, my mother was an employee of Whole Foods before the shift and continues to work for them today. This colors my perception of Amazon. This acquisition is in addition to Amazon purchasing The Washington Post several years ago. So far, Amazon has made its way into two major industries, grocery and news, and has put countless others in jeopardy. Toys ‘R’ Us stated its reason for bankruptcy was lack of consumers as a result of one-stop shop online companies, such as Amazon, as well as business such as Walmart and Target. I think it’s time to put a stop to Amazon’s apparent quest for domination of all industries. If government officials do not put regulations on Amazon, we are destined for total monopoly as the company drives those in a variety of industries into the ground.
to maintain the systems. What else is out there for these cashiers in an economy where they’re no longer needed? What about cashiers who do not meet the credentials for other forms of work? What will become the new stereotypical first job for teenagers? Amazon’s apparent desire to get rid of cashiers demonstrates a greater care for profit than people. It shows the company’s greater love for metal than man.
I believe Amazon mimics the organizations found in many works of the dystopian genre. Amazon is exactly the form of entity that shows such as Doctor Who, movies such as Blade Runner and authors such as Ray Bradbury, Lois Lowry and Suzanne Collins have tried to warn us about.
I refuse to give my money to a company that would value money more than my fellow human beings. Amazon may be convenient, especially for us college students, but aren’t the livelihoods of others more important than our momentary convenience?
ASHLEY KLINE
Personally, as a result of their poor business practices focused more on profits than people, I have chosen to boycott Amazon. I refuse to give my money to a company that would value money more than my fellow human beings. Amazon may be convenient, especially for us college students, but aren’t the livelihoods of others more important than our momentary convenience? We do not have to wait for the federal government to develop new monopoly laws geared for the modern day. We can start changing the course our society and take a stand together for a better tomorrow.
at Virginia Wesleyan … A tuition freeze for 2018-19 is just one of many actions we are employing to help our students and their families benefit from the lifelong value of a world-class education,” Miller said. It’s good that President Miller is thinking about the future, rather than just right now. Yes, some students may not agree with how he is handling things, but in the end the outcome is more important than what people think.
As a senior, it makes me wish they did it before.
LYDIA O’CONNOR
I am personally happy that the school has finally made the decision not to raise tuition. A lot of times I have been annoyed that this school is already expensive and tuition still continues to rise. I know people who decided to transfer because the school was too expensive for them. At the same time, I am annoyed that the school is finally taking this action the year after I leave. I would have loved it if the school did this when I was here.
I personally hope that the school stops raising tuition altogether. When students are freshmen they expect that the cost will stay the same, no one thinks that the cost will rise from there.
I love this school so much and am very grateful for how much I have learned academically and personally since I’ve been here, but the school needs to stop raising the tuition every year and I hope that happens in the next few years so more people can benefit like I have.
Furthermore, as Amazon acquires new companies they develop businesses more reliant on technology than ever before. Amazon is working to develop cashierless grocery stores. Recently, the company has launched a pilot store with no cashiers in Seattle, Washington called Amazon Go. Is this the direction it’s looking to go with Whole Foods? At a local Whole Foods, Amazon is piloting a program where Amazon customers can purchase their groceries online and have them delivered straight to their doorstep. With such measures, Amazon is making the position of cashier virtually obsolete.
If Amazon is able to perfect these business models they’re experimenting with, I wouldn’t be surprised if other companies followed suits by developing similar checkouts. This would force millions of cashiers out of their jobs as stores rely on computers and potentially small teams of computer-savvy individuals
The recent controversy surrounding Facebook proves a need for tech company regulation in other respects. Political firm Cambridge Analytica used information from the Facebook accounts of over 50 million users to gauge voter personalities and interests in the most recent presidential election. This scandal has opened up a floodgate regarding other Facebook security concerns. As a result of the scandal, the net worth of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg dropped billions of dollars in a matter of two weeks. When on trial, Zuckerberg himself recognized the necessity of regulating tech companies.
“I actually am not sure we shouldn’t be regulated. I think in general, technology is an increasingly important trend in the world and I actually think the question is more, what is the right regulation, rather than ‘yes or no, should it be regulated?’” Zuckerberg said in an interview on CNN. If even the Facebook founder himself agrees with the concept of regulating tech companies, why shouldn’t we?
Trump’s transgender policy
BY MARLYN SILVA mhsilva@vwu.edu
“Affordability will continue to be in the forefront of our planning
Since Trump took office, the United States has dealt with many issues and various setbacks. One of the many controversial issues surrounding the Trump administration is whether or not we should allow troops who identify as transgender serve our country through military service. There have been many talks on this topic dating back to President Trump initially tweeting out the ban on transgender troops in 2017.
Alex Powers|Marlin Chronicle
Val Miller|Marlin Chronicle
Bing Images|Courtesy
Building up the next generation through education
BY SABRINA LEMON smlemons@vwu.edu
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union…
I’m sure we’ve all heard the phrase in one form or another, once bitten twice shy! However, it seems in the 21st-century nobody wants to be reminded that they were bitten. This also brings to mind TV shows that I grew up with, though some may have been reruns by the time I viewed the shows. Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, Old Yeller, Father Knows Best, Family Affair, My Three Sons, The Andy Griffith show, The Dukes of Hazzard, The Facts of Life, Different Strokes, The Jeffersons, Archie Bunker, The Beaver, The Addams Family and The Munsters – the beauty of these shows were the lessons they taught of empathy, compassion, owning up to one’s mistakes, communication, patience, humility, learning to apologize and learning to deal with loss. These lessons used to mirror the values learned at home in middle-class America. Somehow we exited the 80s with the dark side of the television industry warping family values and leading our youth like cows with nose rings away from their families. On the heels of sadistic television programming came the internet.
These learned skills and methods of coping and growing have disappeared from the games children play, the shows they watch on TV, even the interactions with their parents and family members. The sad part is people are unwilling to see this or admit the lack of human connection and interaction; the very social foundations that are at core of a healthy, functional society. If an individual cannot discern appropriate behavior, choices, accept shortcomings and failings or even their successes and wins in a healthy manner; this is a disservice to society.
When we miss an opportunity to educate and develop our children in healthy ways to deal with the world, we open the door to allowing others to mold, alter, or warp the minds of our youth. Sometimes it is a person they know, sometimes it’s the abyss of the internet, or the imitation 13-year-old on the other end of the Wi-Fi! All the access to knowledge and information via keyboard and computer screen so many people are saying still, “not me, not my child, not my neighborhood, not my tax bracket, not in my educational level, not in our denomination, not in my nationality.” With all the information out there, people still want to bury their heads in the sand close their eyes and walk around blindly or worse, maim their children before they ever send them into the world.
If parents don’t teach their children how to use their words or other skills to communicate they will use other methods at their disposal to deal with their problems and ultimately create more problems. For example, video games: how do you deal with adversity in a video game? The various reactions in traditional video games such as PacMan, Mario Brothers/SuperMario, Donkey Kong, Frogger and Space Invaders are to eat your opponent, beat your opponent with a hammer, throw barrels at your opponent, run over your opponent, or blast your opponent out of the sky. Keep in mind these were considered mild in the 1980s.
Social, personal, moral and ethical standards are being demolished by video games, lyrics in music that debase others and TV shows where it is more important to be famous for doing stupid, illicit, or dangerous activities, or even better if one is having extramarital affairs or engaging in relationships that are inappropriate with people they hardly know.
It has been said more Americans need to mind their own business, but whose business is it to protect the innocent children, the infirmed, those who are being trafficked, and others who do not have a responsible adult looking out for their well-being? It is the mindset of “not my problem” that enables bullies to continue, to thrive and not develop a healthy sense of morality and ethics. Bullies in the school arena do not grow out of being bullies. They just change their tactics and trade the schoolhouse for another arena.
Part of a parent’s job is to also inform their children of the basic laws that applies to everyone as public school systems have dropped the ball on this responsibility. There used to be classes in the public-school system that taught about problem-solving aside from math and logic questions. If there was not a class there was usually an extracurricular activity they might have been called Forensics Club, Debate Club, or Leadership Club. There were also organizations such as Youth in Government, 4H and FBLA - Future Business Leaders of America to be a part of, not to snub athletics or drama club. Each group like any organization has a set of rules, specific or implied; there are social dynamics, and no matter what group one is a part of there are standards of behavior that are expected to be met if one wants to remain a part of that group.
I will use an example from a movie, I believe it is FAME, from the 80s; I could be mistaken in the reference. The quote was spoken to a young and developing musician who
MILITARY
CONTINUED FROM Pg. 5
He had initially tweeted, “The United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S Military.” He then went even further to say, “Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgenders in the military would entail.” Obviously, “tremendous medical costs” isn’t enough of a reason for such a decision to be made. It isn’t surprising to me that people have been shocked and livid that a policy people have not only been working towards, but hoping for, is being destroyed.
was clearly very talented; one teacher told the gifted student, “You have to learn what the rules are before you can break them.” This is a bastardization of a quote spoken by Pablo Picasso. However, I most appreciate the way the Honorable Dalai Lama XIV phrased this sentiment, “Know the rules well, so you can break them effectively.”
Somewhere along the line it has become more appropriate to act like Paris Hilton and her staged reality show or her home movies, than to emulate a real-life person, such Melvin B. Tolson, a professor who taught at Wiley College, Texas in 1935. Denzel Washington portrayed this man in the movie, “The Great Debaters.” As for the women, why not try and emulate someone like Miss Booke (with an E) who traveled all the way to Wiley College because she wanted a better education than she could get closer to home. I don’t like using modern entertainment to drive a message home, but it seems like genuine history and it is a treasure trove of knowledge that has fallen by the wayside.
Briefly touching on education, and since this is a four-year school that has recently transitioned into a university, which seeks to advance the education of those who seek master’s degrees, the tricky part of providing an education is not just in access, but is making the education that is being offered valuable to the person seeking it. This value in education holds true in public schools and private schools, from kindergarten all the way through the doctoral programs. Even with the best intentions of equality in education, we are not offering equal access to education in the public schools or undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral levels. culture, religion, or other variation differs from our own wheelhouse.
Alex Powers|Marlin Chronicle
Even though these tweets were released in July 2017, it was only this past month that a new, updated policy regarding transgender troops was announced. As reported online by CNN and other news outlets, the new policy says that “transgender persons with a history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria—individuals who the policies state may require substantial medical treatment, including medications and surgery—are disqualified from military service except under certain limited circumstances.” It’s also been reported that they believe people who are transgender, or have a history of gender dysphoria will present a “considerable risk to military effectiveness and lethality.” Despite this, it might take some time to see what happens as the military is still required to accept transgender individuals. Overall, it seems that it’s unclear where this may lead.
The new policy that’s been put into place seems to be vague and offers no solution to anyone who considers themselves a transgender troop. In the end, there is still a ban and the fact that there’s exception for people under “certain circumstances” is unsatisfying to hear. Regardless of there being new developments regarding transgender troops, it feels like there is no true solution and that as a country we’re taking many steps back-
wards. Just because someone may not identify with their assigned gender, doesn’t mean they should be prevented from exercising their ultimate right as an American citizen.
The main argument presented is that a person being transgender may present a risk. Being transgender may be a huge weight on someone’s mind and may present medical problems when it comes to gender reassignment surgery. A person’s decision on how they identify shouldn’t factor into if they’re allowed to serve their country or not. Each person should of course be examined mentally and physically, but deciding how they feel happiest shouldn’t be a deciding factor.
It doesn’t help that the new policy is not very clear to begin with. If there isn’t a clear solution, then what exactly is the initial problem? Some people believe that this is another act of discrimination that the Trump administration is enforcing on citizens. This belief is not hard to agree with. Based on their previous policies and actions, the discourse this new policy has brought to our society is not surprising. The way the initial ban was announced on a social media website was ridiculous. How are people supposed to take issues seriously when Twitter seems to be the only way we can check for updates? How are people supposed to take issues seriously when even after months we still don’t have a definite, clear definition as to what exactly is going on. Hopefully, as time moves on, we’ll be able to get more answers than can be given in a standard 140-character tweet.
SportS Everybody loves Grayson
Women’s
BY MEGAN SHERMAN mrsherman@vwu.edu
A 7-3 record, 21 goals and 10 assists is a notable start to the season for a lacrosse player. Not to mention a senior lacrosse player who juggles the stress that intensifies as graduation grows closer. That alone is impressive – now add raising a baby boy to the mix. Megan Schallock continues to be an integral part of women’s lacrosse’s success thus far, even after welcoming her son into the world just a month before the spring season began.
Schallock gave birth to Grayson James on Dec. 1. Despite this being about a month before the season began, Schallock did not let this inhibit her senior season. In actuality, it motivated her further. “Once I had him I made the decision that I was going to play because I felt great,” Schallock said.
Her schedule is a hectic one: class, practice and taking care of Grayson. However, she has the help and support of her teammates, which essentially made their team chemistry even stronger.
“She did amazing, I’m honestly mind blown. I work, go to class and play lacrosse, and I’m like ‘that’s what I can handle.’ I see her with Grayson and she’s never stressed, she’s always happy. She handles it so well, and she’s still an awesome lacrosse player,” senior McKenzie Dowd said.
Junior Jordan Callahan also spoke highly of the way Schallock has carried herself. “Like a freaking champ. I mean nothing’s slacking, her stick skills are there, her IQ is there and she’s never missed practice or anything, so she’s a pro,” Callahan said.
The team not only works with one another on the field, but off the field as well. Grayson has become a bonding opportunity for the team as some teammates helped Schallock look after him when she was in class or just needed an extra set of hands.
senior Rebecca Winslow said.
“We all love hanging out with him and playing with him. He definitely helps us bond more because when one person has him it brings everyone else together and it’s just like a team effort to try and keep him happy, laughing, and smiling at all times,” Callahan said.
The team chemistry between the new coach and the players has helped them already double their wins from last season. This is shown on the field as they have already tallied 57 assists.
“I think he’s brought us together more because we’re doing more things together than just lacrosse. We’re all here for Megan, and we all want to help her, and we all love Grayson. I think it just gives us a different aspect of being a team and a family because now we have one other person to add to our family,”
Schallock’s son, Grayson, wasn’t the only new addition to the program this year; the team now plays under head coach Kendyl Clarkson.
Clarkson previously coached at Methodist University and played at Buffalo State. The VWU lacrosse team accrredited a lot of their success to Clarkson’s laidback coaching style.
“I think that coach has changed the mindset of the team, the talent was always there, but now everyone wants to have fun and everyone wants to be there,” Dowd said.
“It was just really exciting to have someone come in who really encouraged and believed in us,” Callahan said.
Callahan played a key part in the Marlin’s success so far.
She’s a solid defender who’s also scored eight goals. She said that the team intends on keeping up this high-velocity scoring in order to propel them into the postseason
Five regular season games remain for the Marlins, all of which are conference play. “I think we have a real good shot at conference this year, and my goal’s this year I just want to get back in shape and just keep pushing,” Schallock said.
Marlin tennis keeps swinging
BY JENNA WHITENER jjwhitener@vwu.edu
Instead of taking time off from practice or going on vacation, both the men’s and women’s tennis team of Virginia Wesleyan University packed their gear and headed to Hilton Head, South Carolina where they competed in the Spring Tennis Fest hosted by Professional Tennis Registry. While there, the teams competed in matches against teams from across the country.
Over the course of a week, the men’s team, now 6-6 overall, competed in four matches, three taking place on Hilton Head Island and the final match in Charleston, South Carolina on March 29 against Div. I Citadel.
The Marlins earned their fifth win of the season in the first match of the week on March 24 over Union College of Schenectady, New York. Their lead was secured early on by doubles pairs Nicholas Gunther and Mitchell Perry, and Anthony Wilson and Andres Combos, who helped the Marlins gain a 2-1 advantage heading into singles. From there it was smooth sailing for the team as they won five of the first six singles sets and advanced to win the match 6-1.
Three days later, the team fell to St. Olaf College 6-3. The Marlins were unable to gain much traction against St. Olaf early on in doubles, but they fought hard during singles and were able to grab three of the six sets to put their name on the board. “We came out a little slow against St. Olaf,” sophomore Nicholas Gunther said. “But the following day we were able to beat the University of St. Thomas, who had beaten St. Olaf a couple days before.” The doubles matches against St. Thomas gave VWU a leg up in the competition as they advanced to singles with a 2-1 lead thanks to Gunther and Perry, and Wilson and Combos securing wins against their opponents.
After a solid 7-2 win over St. Thomas, the team traveled two hours to Charleston where they faced Div. I team Citadel. Despite playing the match in Division III format, the Marlins were unable to secure a win over the Bulldogs and fell short 9-0.
The record of the men for their annual spring break trip comes to 2-2, the squad is currently 8-6 overall and ranked fourth in the ODAC.
The women’s team competed in two matches during their time in South Carolina.
The first team the women faced was Union College and due to a
Using sports to take your mind off of class work
Now that Villanova proved they are the best team in college basketball by dominating March Madness, it is officially baseball season. The start of the Major League Baseball season is a time for hope, unless you are a Miami Marlins or Tampa Bay Rays fan, then you have no hope, but for fans of the other 28 teams, the first week of April is the first look at how your team will fare for the 162 game season. Whether you are a fan of the defending World Series Champion Houston Astros or a fan of a team coming into a new season with full health like the New York Mets, fans always believe that this is their year. That is the beautiful thing about baseball; as the season starts to turn into spring, America’s pastime starts to shine. From old timers at the ballpark to young kids admiring their favorite players, a baseball game is a place for anyone to have fun. Even though it is now baseball season, it is also playoff time for the National Hockey League and the National Basketball Association. While the MLB gets the attention for the first week of April, it is also when the NBA and NHL stars shine while they strive to capture a championship for their city. The grind of regular season is over and only the best of the best are left as teams in both leagues give max effort day in and day out to win playoff series. Both sports receive criticism from fans and media that they take games off during the season and do not always give max effort, some of the criticism is just, but those critics quiet come playoff time. Will LeBron bring another title to Cleveland after a drama filled season? Will the Las Vegas Knights win the Stanley Cup in their first year as a team? Those are just two storylines to follow throughout April and May. Once each league crowns a champion, it will be at the point in the MLB season where the contenders separate themselves from the pretenders.
rainy forecast for Sunday, the Marlin’s opening match was moved up to Saturday night. This proved to be a difficult adjustment for the Marlins after the eight-hour drive south forced the match to be played in a no-ad format where singles were played first rather than doubles. At #4 singles, freshman Courtney Simmons fought her way back in the
second set from her 6-1 loss in the first set losing the match 7-6. At #3
singles junior Katie Staman grabbed an early lead and captured the first set 6-3 before dropping her lead and losing the match in the next sets. After several other close singles matches, the Marlins were down 4-2 and needed to win all three doubles matches to defeat Union. Despite fighting hard, the Marlins fell short, giving Union the deciding match and leaving the Marlins at a 6-2 loss.
The women’s tennis team faced another tough loss against central regional power the University of St. Thomas on March 28 after they dropped in all three matches of doubles and singles leaving them at a 9-0 loss.
“Despite losing both matches, it was still a really good experience,” freshman Audrey Bally said. “We were able to learn from the matches and grow as a team.”
The Marlins hold a 8-6 record overall after the Spring Tennis Fest and are currently ranked seventh in the ODAC.
Because the women’s team only played two matches compared to the four matches played by the men’s team, they decided to attend the men’s matches when they were not playing their own. “We really supported one another,” Bally said of the experience. “It was a great way for us to bond with each other and with the men’s team.”
The VWU tennis teams were not all business all week, however, and many of the athletes were able to enjoy the coast of South Carolina by visiting the beach and exploring Hilton Head between their practices and matches.
The men’s team returns to action on April 14 on the road against Roanoke for an ODAC match up, while the women’s teams face conference opponent Randolph-Macon College on April 11 on the road.
As the school year winds down and the intensity of the work increases as professors continue to pack on the work, the level of motivation tends to go down. This is natural as the weather gets nicer, students find more and more ways to procrastinate. While I do not condone the procrastination that I often participate in, a sports game is a perfect way to enjoy the weather while supporting the campus community. If you do not know by now, VWU boasts the #1 softball team in the country, so I suggest going out to see them before they hit the road for the NCAA Tournament. The baseball team is currently on top of the ODAC as well. If baseball or softball does not catch your interest then head out to Birdsong Field and catch the men’s or women’s lacrosse teams in action. VWU is a small community where you often see the same people day in and day out, so I recommend that you go out and support the student-athletes. We are all in this together as we strive towards the end of the semester and into summer vacation.
Nonetheless, it is almost the end of the spring semester, so if the stress of school is getting to you, if campus athletics are not your thing, just take the night off and flip to an early season baseball game or basketball/ hockey playoff game to forget about the tribulations of the end of the semester.
LUKE CHIASSON is a junior majoring in communication
Meghan Schallock| Courtesy Grayson holds a lacrosse ball as the team prepares for a recent game at Birdsong
VWU Sports Information | Courtesy
Andreas Combos gets set for a return shot while playing singles on March 19.
lacrosse player and mother, Megan Schallock, includes her son in her success on and off the field
Player profile: softball seniors
BY JUSTIN SMITH
jrsmith2@vwc.edu
The Virginia Wesleyan University softball team recognized their senior players at their senior day game against Guilford College on April 8. The Marlins captured both wins in their double-header with scores 9-0 and 10-1.
Virginia Wesleyan’s 2018 graduating class consist of seven softball players:
Amanda Archer (#21)
Major: Communication
Position: Outfield
Hometown: Amelia, Va.
Favorite class taken at VWU:
Senior Seminar: Historical/Critical Research
Teresa Cardamone (#17)
Major: Business
Position: Designated player / Catcher
Hometown: Oak Hill, VA
Favorite class taken at VWU:
Fundamentals of Information Systems
Cassetty Howerin (#12)
Major: Recreation & Leisure
Studies (Therapeutic track)
Position: First Base
Hometown: Dover, DE
Favorite class taken at VWU: Safety & First Aid or Homeless Shelter
Alana Peters (#18)
Major: Communication
Position: Pitcher
Hometown: Oakton, VA
Favorite class taken at VWU: Topics in Communication: Sitcoms
Kiersten Richardson (#13)
Major: Criminal Justice
Position: Shortstop
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Favorite class taken at VWU: Criminal Profiling
Amy Large (#25)
Major: Biology
Position: Outfield
Hometown: Kennett Square, PA
Favorite class taken at VWU: Safety & First Aid, Ceramics or Ecology
Alexis Smith
Major: Recreation & Leisure Studies (Managment track)
Position: Team Manager
Hometown: Fredericksburg, VA
Favorite class taken at VWU: Sports & Facility Management
Sam Jackson Photography| Courtesy Pictured left to right: Amy Large, Kiersten Richardson, Amanda Archer, Alana Peters, Teresa Cardamone, Alexis Smith and Cassetty Howerin pose with their championship rings.
SUMMER SESSION IS FOR EVERYONE, whether you are behind in coursework or planning to graduate early. Summer Session at VWU will give you an opportunity to engage in specialty courses, complete General Studies requirements or advance in your major
SUMMER SESSION DATES
SESSION 1 May 29 - June 26 (4 weeks)
SESSION 2 May 29 - Aug. 17 (12 weeks)
SESSION 3 July 9 - Aug. 17 (6 weeks)
ONLINE SESSION 4 May 21, 2018 - July 6 (7 weeks)
ONLINE SESSION 5 July 9 - Aug. 24 (7 weeks)
DISCOUNTED TUITION
Summer Session at VWU is affordable! Studying during summer will cost you 73% less than during the academic year. At $399/credit and five sessions from which to choose, you can gain up to 12 credits in course work, independent research or internship credit.
ROOM AND BOARD
During Summer Session on-campus housing and meal plans will be available for you. For more details, contact Residence Life 757.455.3295.
ONLINE STUDY
Day students may take one online course in both Session 4 and Session 5.
CONTACT YOUR ACADEMIC ADVISOR
Discuss registration with your advisor during April Advising Weeks.
For all other inquiries, contact Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson Associate Professor of Biology, Director of Summer & Winter Session dgonsalvesjackson@vwu.edu
80/20 BURGER BAR: A REVIEW
Bayli Foley reviews a restaurant that puts a twist on your average burger
RATINGS: FOOD QUALITY
ENVIRONMENT
SERVICE
BY BAYLI FOLEY bmfoley@vwu.edu
Let’s talk about 80/20 burger. Never have I ever had a better burger in my whole existence. 80/20 Burger Bar is a small-ish restaurant and bar in Ghent open for dinner Monday-Saturday 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday brunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
They spend all day preparing their burgers for dinner and use local grass fed beef and all local ingredients. The prices for burgers range from about $12-$14 and every order comes with a side of fries of which you can choose three styles. My personal favorite was the house fries, which are made with garlic, rosemary and parmesan cheese. Some other options you have are the nye spice, inlet (these feature old bay style spices) and border. If you come to 80/20 burger and you’re ballin’ a little bit then you should consider an appetizer which are all almost as good as the burgers. I’ve personally had the pickle chips (you really can’t ever go wrong with fried pickles) and the 80/20 wings. I’ve gotta say, for a burger place, their wings are pretty great! Their house-made barbeque
sauce is a perfect mixture of sweet and tangy and their hot honey garlic is equally as delicious. Get both.
When it comes time to order your burger, you’ll find a list of somewhat peculiar names for each option. Of the 22 listed, each one is unique. For example: The Nanny. This genius creation is a PB&J burger. Before you write this off, let me tell you, I was also hesitant but hear me out. It has house-made bacon peanut butter, pepper jelly, and… more bacon. The flavors on this burger come together so beautifully that it is unlike anything you will have at any other restaurant. The pepper jelly brings together the salty and
the sweet to just the right spot. The peanut butter is crunchy from the bacon, which adds some excitement in each bite and also works to bring together the salty and sweet flavors. However, none of this overcomes the star of the dish, which is the burger patty itself. It is prepared, seasoned, and cooked to absolute perfection. Since the restaurant spends all day preparing their patties, they are bursting with flavor.
Whether you want PB&J on your burger or not, any one you choose will be to die for. With a restaurant whose simple goal is to serve you the “best d*** burger you’ve ever had,” they flourish.
POP CULTURE ROUND-UP
BY JULIE AINSLEY jmainsley@vwu.edu
“Jersey Shore: Family Reunion” is a Success
The shore gang is back and better than ever in their new MTV spot. The show premiered on April 5 to very high ratings, even in a culture of watching shows later on streaming sites like Netflix and Hulu. Before the show premiered, it was already renewed for for a second season. Audiences are waiting to see how they incorporate old gags and fun with them being older. All of the original cast appears on the show, with the exception of Sammi Sweetheart. The show will now be coming on weekly on Thursdays at 8 p.m.
GiGi Gorgeous is Engaged
YouTube personality Gigi Lazzarato, better known as GiGi Gorgeous is engaged to her girlfriend of two years, Nats Getty. The pair got engaged while on a trip to Paris. According to “People,” Lazzarato came out as a gay male before coming out as a transgender female in Dec. 2013, and then she identified herself as a lesbian in Sep. 2016 after dating Getty.
Black Panther Breaks Barriers in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will allow a theater to show motion pictures in Saudi Arabia for the first time in 35 years, premiering with the blockbuster “Black Panther.” This is a huge step for the country. The film is now the highest grossing superhero film of all time and the third highest grossing film in U.S. history, passing “Titanic.” With this news, Salman will also allow women to sit together in theaters.
“Fixer Upper” Ends after Five Seasons
The hit HGTV show featuring Chip and Jonanna Gaines and all of their shiplap came to an end on April 3. The pair completed 78 renovations for the series and ran 14 side-businesses in the process, while keeping up with their family and adding a new addition to the Gaines household. While Chip and Joanna will be greatly missed on our television screens, they deserve some much needed relaxation.
Lea Michele and Darren Criss Announce Upcoming Tour
“Glee” fans rejoiced in excitement as Lea Michele who played Rachel Berry and Darren Criss who played Blaine Anderson announced their summer tour dates, including one coming to the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. on June 3. The pair said they will be performing a little ‘bit of everything, from “Glee” hits, to Broadway tunes, and individual records. Tickets go on sale on Apr. 13.
#ROLE
MODELS
Columnist Wynter Bond examines portrayals of women of color in popular culture
BY WYNTER BOND wcbond@vwu.edu
There has been so much going on lately. With conversations laden with heavy material such as gun control and pointless American Idol drivel, it seems as though lighthearted antics can be hard to come by. When it comes down to it, we all need role models to guide us through the murky waters of life. Which is why there are no better role models than Cardi B and Tiffany Haddish.
Now, these two women have been bogged down by haters as America promoting ratchetness and boisterous behavior as suitable for the masses. But I don’t see their lack of “professional polish” as a flaw. I see it as real. Don’t get me wrong, I love our people of color in Hollywood. They are all (not including Stacey Dash) amazing, giving people. But it’s been a while since we have had a person of color unabashed and unrelenting in how they choose to portray themselves, especially when it’s not exactly the status quo.
Let’s start with Tiffany Haddish. While most people know her from the critically acclaimed 2017 film “Girls Trip,” I remember her from Kevin Hart’s show Real Husbands of Hollywood. The comedienne and actress has also appeared on OWN’s “If Loving You is Wrong” and “The Carmichael Show” before her casting of Dina in the NAACP Image Awardwinning smash hit. Her character can easily be seen as more “ratchet” than the other three best friends in the group: she’s loud, provocative, says the first thing that comes to mind, and uses expletives and innuendos like no one’s business. Imagine everyone’s surprise when she turned out to be that way in real life, too. I find it refreshing.
I feel as though I can connect to her more solely because she acts like someone I’d actually want to be friends within life. She is smart, funny, and doesn’t care what other people think of her.
Back when she was promoting “Girls Trip,” Haddish went and bought an $4,000 Alexander McQueen dress. She then again wore it when she made history later in 2017 as the first black female comedian to host “Saturday Night Live.” There, she commented on how the dress cost her “more than [her] mortgage” and how she was going to wear it for special occasions. Haddish showed up in the white McQueen gown again when she presented an award at the 2018 Oscars. She’s so down to earth and has not forgotten where she has come from. That’s an admirable quality in a role model these days.
We all know Cardi B, AKA Belcalis Almanzar (Side note: okay, I still expect some kind of magic to happen whenever I say homegirl’s full name. It sounds like a forbidden Harry Potter spell and I feel like someone’s supposed to turn into an evil anthropomorphic garden hose or something). We all had “Bodak Yellow” downloaded and blasting in our cars with the windows down last summer. Something about that song makes me automatically hype and just ready. Cardi also just dropped her debut album “Invasion of Privacy” earlier this month. What I admire about Cardi is how she is unashamed of her past and is actually serving as an inspiration for those in her previous situation. Before breaking into the celebrity atmosphere as 2015 is a reality star on “Love & Hip Hop: New York,” Cardi B was an exotic dancer. When asked about it in interviews, she claims that it was actually positive for her and how she was able to escape poverty and domestic violence because of it. But she also speaks of how she never lost her dream of being in music because she knew that she could do better than what she was doing. Cardi is a role model because she shows what perseverance looks like, even in what can seem like the very bottom of a negative situation. Cardi B shows that anything can be possible, even for women who are doing something that society can permanently put you in a box and think nothing of you. It’s hard out here right now, especially for women of color. There are so many positive people in our world, but these two women appeal to the younger generation. I think that they could teach the older generations some things as well. We can’t take life too seriously.
Bayli Foley | Marlin Chronicle
visitors of 80/20 Burger Bar in Norfolk, VA.
GOODBYE, WHITE RHINO
The white rhino will enter extinction after the last male past away
BY AUSTIN EDMONDS acedmonds@vwu.edu
Sudan, the world’s last male northern white rhinoceros has died. The 45-yearold rhino really began to struggle with age related issues as well as multiple infections before a veterinary team had to make the tough decision to euthanize Sudan. Sudan lived at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya where he was surrounded by armed guards to protect him from poachers.
Elodie Sampere, a representative for Ol Pejeta said, “He was a gentle Giant, his personality was just amazing and given his size, a lot of people were afraid of him. But there was nothing mean about him.”
Sudan may have passed on and be the last male northern white rhino, but it may not mean extinction of his breed as researchers were able to save some of Sudan’s genetic material in hopes of successfully artificially inseminating one of the last two females. Many researchers blame the demand for rhino horn in trade in China and Vietnam are to blame, as there is a big poaching epidemic in those countries. The reason rhino horn is so valuable is that it is believed that their horns cure various ailments. Also, rhino horn prices had sold for about $30,000 to $35,000 per kilogram
as of 2015.
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy took precautions for poaching, however, by placing radio transmitters on the animals and dispatched incognito rangers into neighboring communities to gather more information on poaching. Some may have heard of Sudan, as he made headlines just last year when the Tinder dating app named him the “most eligible bachelor in the world” in a campaign to fundraise for the charity Save the Subspecies. All five remaining rhino species are considered threatened, and the western black rhino has already been declared extinct due to poaching. The only two northern white rhinos left in the world are Sudan’s daughter Najin, and his granddaughter, Fatu. Sudan had failed to mate with females from a related rhino subspecies found in South Africa. The second-to-last male, Suni, passed away in 2014 via a heart attack. Both Sudan and Suni were likely to old to be fertile by the time they were brought to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. Sudan was born in 1972, in southern Sudan when there were still about 1,000 northern white rhinos roaming earth, however,
ZOO IS IN BLOOM
BY CAIMAYA ASHTON clashton@vwu.edu
Every year, the zoo animals welcome new offspring to the world. This year, the Virginia Zoological Park in Norfolk has welcomed a few new babies to the world. A baby bongo and zebra have been welcomed in the year of 2018.
On March 5, the Zoological Park welcomed the baby zebra “Athena.” Baby Athena was birthed from the 16-year-old Hartmann’s mountain zebra Abby. Athena weighed 80 pounds and stood three feet tall at birth. The zoo gave her the name Athena based on the tradition of choosing a name that began with the first initial of their mother’s name. In Athena’s case it was the letter “A” from her mom Abby. Don’t panic if you don’t get to see Athena and her mom Abby. They are put behind the scenes when the weather is cooler. However, as the weather warms up, they will be making an appearance out for the public to see.
While the baby fever just began to simmer down, the zoo also welcomed a baby Bongo on March 23. The baby bongo was born male and weighed 50 pounds at birth. The baby bongo was welcomed into this world by his mother, Betty the
Bongo. He is the newest addition to the family. The bongo clan also celebrated a birth earlier this year on Dec. 25, Joy the Bongo.
Betty the Bongo and her new baby are available for the public to see. When the baby bongo was born, the zoo did a poll to determine the new baby bongo’s name.
The options for the baby bongo were Blarney, Bugs, Buster or Baxter. Once the votes were tallied, it was announced on March 27 that the baby Bongo’s name is and will be Baxter.
The Virginia Zoological Park is in full bloom, especially with the new additions that the Zoo has to offer. The Virginia Zoological Park is located at 3500 Granby St, Norfolk, VA 23504. The zoo is open every day of the week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To keep up with current events happening at Virginia Zoological Park or just animals in general, visit virginiazoo. org.
THE MARLIN UNDERTOW / By
Julie Ainsley
their habitat has been destroyed by human conflict. It also doesn’t help that rhinos are concentrated in countries riddled by war. They are killed for not only their horns, but also for their meat and exchanged for
money. Sudan was sent to a zoo when he was just three years old in the Czech Republic. The efforts of the Conservancy are greatly appreciated, however, it was a little too late for a real turnaround.
NEW MOCA EXHIBITS
The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art introduces new exhibits for visitors
BY AUSTIN EDMONDS acedmonds@vwu.edu
The two brand new exhibits at Moca, also known as, The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, are the Inka Essenhigh and the New Wave exhibits.
The Inka Essenhigh art was very naturistic. Every piece of art involved some part of nature whether it be people crawling in the desert or someone standing in the water and gazing upon the stars.
The New Wave exhibit, however, seemed to be more meaningful art and focus on topics related to the current social, political, and cultural topics. For example, in the New Wave exhibit, you can find a painting of a voter’s button with the words “Get Rich or Die Voting.”
The New Wave exhibit is more relatable as many viewers made comments on much of the art compared to really none for the Inka Essenhigh exhibit. Moca security worker Roy Smith summed it up
perfectly by saying, “Most people come in here and they walk through the exhibits and the Inka exhibit gets the ooh’s and the ahh’s while some people get out right offended by the Wave exhibit.”
Although, the crowd was younger, there were a few older folks who reacted the same way. All together, the audience at Moca was mostly children to young adults and the sense was that the audience was pleased with the two new exhibits.
The Museum of Contemporary Art can be found at 2200 Parks Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. Admission is free, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On days that aren’t free the price is $5.50 with a college or military I.D or if you’re a senior citizen of age 65 or older. The price for a normal adult is $7.70 and as for children, kids age five and up are considered students while kids ages four and below are free.
GO TO THIS:
Norfolk Tides at Harbor Park Baseball season is officially here and our local minor league team, the Norfolk Tides, are back in action. Harbor Park is the perfect spring hangout with great food, exciting entertainment, and some good old-fashioned baseball. The next home game is against the Buffalo Bisons on April 20 at 7:05 p.m. Tickets are available online from $10 to $13.
WATCH THIS:
“A Quiet Place” John Krasinski, better known as Jim Halpert on “The Office,” directs his third film. The film has received a lot of great reviews. “A Quiet Place” also features his real-life wife, Emily Blunt. The film debuted in theaters on April 6.
LISTEN TO THIS:
“Invasion of Privacy” by Cardi B Cardi B’s debut studio album came out April 6. The album features her hit song “Bodak Yellow” along with other features with Migos, Chance the Rapper, SZA, and 21 Savage.
Alex Powers | Marlin Chronicle
Ashley Kline | Marlin Chronicle (Above ) Emery is a four-month-old lion taking his place as the baby king of the jungle. (Right) The newest baby giraffe stands proud as it makes Norfolk its new home. Spring means new babies to care for at Virginia Zoological Park