04
NEWS
12.4.2017
GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE
ANNUAL HUNGER BANQUET BRINGS AWARENESS TO FOOD INSECURITY SAIL showed students how poverty looks worldwide GEMMA CARRETTA STAFF WRITER
hunger comes from the unequal distribution of resources: wealthier countries have access to more food than they need, leaving poorer countries with less than what is needed to cover their people’s basic needs.
Jason Padilla, one of SAIL’s staff members, explained that the Hunger Banquet “allows participants to see what hunger looks like around the world,” as well as in their own community. “Hunger is happening all across the world, but [it] is also happening on the Mason campus,” Padilla explained.
“Every person on earth has the same basic needs,” Ekeanyanwu added, but within these countries, differences among income in different regions further increase disparities in food distribution and availability.
They also learned that hunger is not caused by a lack of food on earth, explained Onyinyechi Ekeanyanwu, a junior at Mason majoring in Integrative Studies and the programs and event coordinator for SAIL. Ekeanyanwu said that the real problem regarding
While many Mason organizations have been connected to the Hunger Banquet in the past, organizers explained that Patriot Pantry has always been the most involved. Padilla explained that joining two organizations that help those in need can bring even more awareness to the issue. Dominic Straquadine, a junior majoring in Environmental and Sustainability Studies and a Sustainability LLC member involved in the planning of the banquet, explained that partnering with organizations like the Patriot Pantry helps students to better understand the problem of hunger not only in other countries, but also in their own local community.
FOURTH ESTATE/NICOLAS MACOTTO
Attendees of this year’s banquet were able to learn about how prevalent hunger is around the globe. The event was designed as an interactive experience that allowed participants to step into the lives of different people with varying income levels in order to show how much food is available to them.
To attend the Hunger Banquet, participants were required to bring at least one of the Patriot Pantry’s most requested items, including non-perishable food items, toiletries, and school supplies. This pantry lends extra support to Mason students who are food insecure or cannot afford basic supplies.
DELEGATE BULOVA TALKS EDUCATION Fairfax’s state representative speaks on working with Mason ALEXANDER SHEDD NEWS ASSISTANT EDITOR
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Democratic Delegate David Bulova, who represents Fairfax City, parts of the county, and the Mason area as the state delegate for the 37th district, sat down with Fourth Estate to discuss his policies and how they influence Mason.
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Mason’s office of Social Action and Integrative Learning (SAIL) hosted an annual Hunger Banquet on Nov. 14, where approximately 100 Mason students, faculty, and staff gathered to learn about food insecurity.
“One of the things I treasure about being a delegate is having Mason as the centerpiece of the area,” Bulova said of his involvement with the school. “George Mason is great for the community and the economy, but the thing I cherish the most is working with student groups.” On the issue of student debt and tuition prices, Bulova feels strongly that more effort should be directed to funding public higher education. He mentioned his own two children in Virginia colleges, adding that he and his family are also
“going through the struggle of how to pay for college.” Bulova is a member of the Virginia House of Representative’s Education Reform subcommittee, and co-sponsored a bill to create the House’s Standards of Learning Committee, which works towards equalizing public education across the state and creating standard curricula for students. Bulova also co-sponsored legislation to “enhance efforts to fight bullying in our schools” as well as strengthen “the process for dealing with teachers accused of sexually assaulting a student,” according to the delegate’s official website. Similarly, Bulova stated his belief in more investment in on-campus housing, citing the need for students to have affordable living situations in an area with no rent control.
“Virginia has really underfunded public education,” he alleged. “We need to step back and recommit funding to universities.”
Don’t be afraid to approach your legislator.” He added that he is “always happy to meet with clubs, groups, and individuals” from Mason.
He informed constituents that “when [the state government] cuts funding, higher education is really easy to cut, and it’s gotten us into a bad situation.” Mason received approximately $9 million in operating funds and financial aid from the state in fiscal year 2017, according to the state’s education budget chart. This only accounts for approximately 0.9 percent of Mason’s $1 billion total budget according to the school’s budget document.
Bulova ran unopposed for reelection on Nov. 7, and hosts a recurring informal meeting open to the public in Main Street Bagel Deli on Saturday mornings, which he calls “coffee with constituents.” At his Dec. 2 meeting, he discussed legislation he was currently working on and addressed issues that the attendees brought up, including northern Virginia’s infamously slow traffic, the legalization of medical marijuana, and his day-to-day dealings with Mason.
He also brought up the work he has done to provide Virginia students with alternatives to an expensive college education, such as requiring high schools to give students information on trade schools. Bulova emphasized his openness to the members of the Mason community. “There is a misconception [among students] that there are barriers to meeting with your local representatives.
Delegate Bulova offers his constituents a number of services including help in mediating issues with state agencies such as the DMV and special recognition for important events such as birthdays and retirements. His office can be reached through his website, davidbulova.com.