Broadside March 5, 2012 Issue by Student Media George Mason University

Which Degree? Learn all about some majors you’ve never heard of (and some you have). NEWS • Page 3

Faith and Basketball

Battle of the Bands Find out who won Friday’s Battle of the Bands! STYLE • Page 5

Alumnus Father Peter Nassetta knows a thing or two about Mason basketball. SPORTS • Page 10

George Mason University’s Student Newspaper www.broadsideonline.com

March 5, 2012

Volume 88 Issue 17

NCAA Tournament Dashed by Rams Mason Falls at Hands of Rival for Third Time in Three Years

Student Senator Resigns at Impeachment Hearing Resolution for Impeachment Process Passes Senate 26-2 Gregory Connolly Editor-in-Chief

Photo by: Stephen Kline

Senior guard Andre Cornelius scored 15 points during the CAA semi-ﬁnal game against VCU. The Rams beat Mason 74-64 after starting the game with a 22-0 lead. The game ended Mason’s tournament run.

Cody Norman Managing Editor It happened again. For the fifth time in as many chances and the third time in three years, the Patriots were trumped by the VCU Rams in the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament in the Richmond Coliseum. In the opening minutes of the first half, the Rams put together a 32-point onslaught in front of another sold out crowd that left the Patriots clawing for every basket. Bradford Burgess and Troy Daniels led the charge as VCU canned each of their first eight 3-point attempts, hitting Mason with a 32-4 deficit just nine minutes into the game. “We weren’t ready to start,” Mason coach Paul Hewitt said. “That falls on me. When they started hitting those threes, we should have made some adjustments.” But the Patriots fought back. Led by forward Mike Morrison for a second straight night, Mason scratched their way to within striking distance and went into the break trailing 48-32. Morrison had 12 of his 20 total points in the first half, keeping the Patriots’ conference championship hopes alive with 20 minutes left to play.

“Our guys climbed out of [the deficit] be- 30 minutes, outscoring the Rams 60-42 during cause they played extremely hard,” Hewitt that frame. said. “They’re extremely committed. But it’s With help from a double-double performance by forward Jonathan tough to defend live ball Arledge, who finished the game turnovers. And that really “One thing I credit with 10 points and 11 rebounds, killed us.” Morrison added: “One my team with is that Morrison, Cornelius and the thing I credit my team with no matter how much Patriots closed the gap to seven points late in the second half is that no matter how much we were down, we we were down, we never and threatened to steal a vicstopped fighting. At no tory despite the early deficit. never stopped fight“Everybody had confipoint in the game did we put ing. At no point did our heads down and give dence in me – my teammates, we put our heads the coaching staff, everybody,” up.” To begin the second Arledge said. “And that gave me down and give up.” confidence.” half, Hewitt put Andre CorDespite any effort made by nelius into the point guard -Mike Morrison, Forward role and put the ball in the Hewitt and his staff to get CAA hands of his senior guard for Player of the Year Ryan Pearson the remainder of the game. involved offensively, the senior Cornelius knocked down several clutch 3- forward could not find his rhythm in Richpointers, connecting on 4-of-10 total shots in mond and exited the weekend with just 10 an impressive 15-point effort. points, six of them coming in the loss on Sun“We just wanted to put some quickness day evening. on the ball,” Hewitt said. “That tempered their “We didn’t execute well in some of the sets where we tried to get him the ball,” Hewitt aggressiveness a little bit.” Anchoring the Patriots’ defense, the two said. seniors held VCU to just 42 points in the final

See Mason CAA Tournament, Page 12

Rector Says Goodbye, Talks Shop Ernst Volgenau Gives Final Address to Faculty Senate Justin Lalputan News Editor On Wednesday, Rector Ernst Volgenau of the Board of Visitors gave his final address to the Faculty Senate. His tenure as rector of the board will end this June. At the meeting, the add/drop deadline was also discussed. Volgenau said he admires the work President Alan Merten has done for the university. “Until you’ve run a public organization in a public domain, you don’t realize what management is all about,” Volgenau said. “Even if things don’t go wrong, there are so many issues that come up continuously. It’s a trial.” Volgenau also spoke about incoming President Ángel Cabr-

era and also addressed concerns that the Faculty Senate had about his election. On Feb. 8, the Faculty Senate called a special meeting to discuss issues they had with the manner in which Cabrera was elected, specifically the anonymous nature of the selection process, which violated section 1.2.5 of the faculty handbook. According to section 1.2.5, “The search and selection process must include opportunities for the General Faculty to meet with candidates who are finalists for the presidency.” In this election, the general faculty did not have this chance. “Indeed the Board of Visitors did not technically follow the rule of the faculty handbook,” Volgenau said. “I contend that it was an infraction, not a violation.

We gave the faculty the opportunity to interview one candidate, not the finalists.” “We tried to honor the spirit of the faculty handbook,” Volgenau said. “And I’ll say that the faculty handbook is not a contract. It is a policy that is put in place by the Board of Visitors, and the Board of Visitors has the right to change the policy. The board in its wisdom chose to change that policy on Dec. 9,” Volgenau said. “As the rector I apologize, but I don’t think we’re compelled to follow the faculty handbook.” Questions were also raised about the upcoming provost search, which will not be handled by the Board of Visitors. Volgenau said that the responsibility will be the president’s. A resolution from the Stu-

dent Senate regarding the add/drop deadline was brought before the Faculty Senate. The Academic Policies Committee had already decided to hear what the Student Senate’s position on the issue. Members of the Faculty Senate noted that the arguments set out in the Student Senate resolution for the add/drop deadline being pushed up were incorrect. The Faculty Senate advised the Student Senate to more fully investigate the reasons for the deadline change. The Faculty Senate’s resolution to change the add/drop deadline can be found in the March 3, 2010, minutes. The Faculty Senate will have its next meeting on March 28. President Merten will address the senate at that time.

A student senator resigned Friday at an Election Dispute Commission hearing after a resolution passed at Thursday’s Student Senate meeting called for an impeachment hearing. Senator Donald Garrett read his letter of resignation at the start of the EDC hearing. Questions remain about how his resignation relates to Student Government bylaws. “There are some discrepancies as to whether [Garrett’s resignation] is permissible [under Student Government rules],” said Student Government President Ally Bowers. “From my understanding, the resignation has to be approved, so there’s a chance there might still be a hearing.” Garrett has taken a number of legal measures, including giving notice to members of the Student Government that he will ﬁle a petition involving Student Government and Virginia FOIA Law. Garrett said he plans to ﬁle the petition Tuesday. Resolution 27, which passed Thursday 26-2 with one abstention, cited several reasons for initiating impeachment proceedings against Garrett. Among these reasons, according to the resolution, was an email from Garrett to Bowers in which he protested a proposed addition to the Election Code, Section 4.1, that

would prohibit candidates from running for both Student Senate and an executive position within Student Government. According to the resolution, Garrett said “4.1 needs to be taken out or else I will initiate legal action. Let this serve as your notice.” According to the resolution, Garrett also “broke the George Mason University Student Code of Conduct when, after being repeatedly warned to cease reading a prepared letter on an issue that did not pertain to the matter at hand, he intentionally caused a disruption in the learning environment of GMU’s Student Government.” According to the resolution, the reading took place Oct. 20, 2011. In his letter of resignation, Garrett said, “Although the debate in Senate yesterday was healthy, most of the comments made did not relate back to the allegations in Resolution 27. I do not trust the EDC to be a fair and neutral arbitrator and will not go forward having a hearing with that unjust body.” The 18 senators who submitted the resolution also mentioned Robert’s Rules of Order in the resolution, saying Garrett “disturbed the wellbeing of the organization by threatening and hampering the work of Student Government Members.”

See SENATE, Page 3

Committee to Revisit Add/Drop Deadline Students Protest Current Date Justin Lalputan News Editor The Government and Academic Affairs Committee of the Student Senate and Academic Policies Committee of the Faculty Senate are discussing the add/drop deadline. In fall 2011, the date was pushed forward, giving students only eight days to finalize their class schedule. In March 2010, the Faculty Senate decided to push up the add/drop deadline. This was done despite a letter of opposition from Devraj Dasgupta, former Student Government president. The add/drop date was pushed up for two primary reasons, said Janette Muir, associate provost of undergraduate education and former chair of the Academic Policies Committee. First, professors complained that two weeks was too long an interval for students to be absent from a classroom, Muir said. “They’ve missed quizzes, they’ve missed homework. They’re not in the same position to succeed as a student that [has] been in the classroom [from the start],” Muir said. The second issue concerns financial aid. If the add period is extended, students must wait longer to get money from [federal] financial aid, Muir said. This is because the money cannot be granted until the add/drop date has passed. For example, if a student were to complete a FAFSA application, theymust still wait for the add/drop date to pass. While that

student is waiting, students from other universities are already receiving federal funds. Dasgupta addressed both issues in his letter to the Faculty Senate in March 2010. “Our leadership disagrees with the assessment in that students cannot succeed or excel in the same way as if they start a class two weeks into the semester. As it is the first two weeks of any class are introductory and more often than not review for the student. Students have long complained about financial aid and the duration it takes to receive money so why not focus our efforts on the financial aid office and the processes instead of manipulating an entire system at the student's cost,” Dasgupta said in his letter. The Student Senate highlighted the issue of the add/drop date this semester due to a large number of protests from George Mason University students said Matthew Short, chairman of the Government & Academic Affairs committee of the Student Senate. “We started receiving emails last semester, particularly from performing arts majors,” said Leslie Cook, secretary of the Government & Academic Affairs committee. “They have auditions the first week of classes, and apparently they don’t receive their results [from their auditions] until the end of the first week [or] the beginning of the second week. [This] left them one day to put together a schedule and add classes.”

See DROP DATE, Page 4

Broadside

News

The number of days that students have had to add/drop classes since fall 2011

Monday, March 5, 2012

Event Calendar Monday, March 5 High 5: Off-Campus Student Programs and Services Parking Lot A 7:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m., 3 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 6 Tune In! Off-Campus Housing Webinar Online 12 p.m. – 1p.m. Information Session: Peace Corps Johnson Center, Room B 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Wednesday, March 7 Commencement Grad Fair Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., March 6 – 8 What Do You Want Wednesday Johnson Center, North Plaza 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. International Cafe: Tea and Games from Around the World Student Union Building I, Patriots Lounge 12 a.m. – 2 p.m

Thursday, March 8 Free HIV Testing Student Union Building I, Suite 3200 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. PB Comedy Show: Seaton Smith Johnson Center, Cinema 8 p.m.

Friday, March 9

Bus Trip: Monticello $5; Charlottesville, VA 9:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. PB Film: Hugo Johnson Center, Cinema 6 p.m., 9 p.m.

For more events and activities, check out: today.gmu.edu

POLICE FILES Feb. 27

Larceny. Hampton Roads Complainant stated that her secured bike was stolen from the bike rack outside her dorm. (60/Stahl) Larceny. Skyline Fitness Complainant stated that his secured bike was stolen from the bike rack outside of the fitness center. (51/Huete)

Feb. 28

Medical Assist. Student Union I A gmu student was transported to Fairfax Hospital after taking a combination of pills. (51/Heute)

Feb. 29

Larceny. Hampton Roads Complainant stated that her secured bike was stolen from the bike rack outside his dorm. (60/Stahl)

Destruction/Damage/Vandalism of Property University Drive A tree fell and hit a CUE Bus while in transit. Estimated damage $200.00. (37/Radfar)

March 1

Warrant Service Potomac Heights Dominik Holland, 20 (GMU) of King George, VA was issued a warrant of arrest for destruction of property. (41/Rapoli) Drunk in Public Rogers Hall Rebecca Shires, 18 (GMU) of Springfield, VA was arrested for DIP. Subject was transported and released over to the Fairfax County ADC. (31/Stampfel) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Lot I Officers discovered paraphernalia and seized it for destruction. (47/Bietsch & 56/Lighthiser)

Police Files are taken verbatim from www.gmu.edu/police. Broadside does not make any changes to public records.

Forensics Team Heads to Rome

Aim to Defend Championship Title at International Tournament Michael Lagana Staff Writer The George Mason University Forensics team will travel to Rome on Wednesday to defend its world championship title at the International Forensics Association Tournament. The 2012 IFA Tournament will last nine days, concluding on March 17. The IFA Tournament is held in a different city each year, including Montreal in 2009, Berlin in 2010 and Budapest in 2011, where Mason took first. Most of the competitors in the tournament are students from universities in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom. The IFA Tournament consists of four events: limited preparation, public address, interpretation of literature and parliamentary debate. These events will take place in hotel rooms and a banquet hall in the designated tournament hotel. Team members will spend several days in Rome preparing for the events. Preparation includes conducting research, practicing speaking and refining their form so the team will be ready to perform over the two-day competition period. The tournament is an important event in the team’s competition year. Team members look forward to traveling and extending Mason’s global exposure. “We are all going to work hard to represent Mason,” said team secretary Kate DeNardi, a senior public administration

Photo by Angelika Albaladejo

Members of Mason’s forensics team perform at a tournament. The team, which has competed in Montreal, Berlin and Budapest in years past; will travel to Rome on Wednesday for the 2012 International Forensics Association Tournament. major. “We talk about legacy on our team — the idea of those who came before us — and we are a part of that.” While in Rome, some team members must also complete a research paper in order to receive three credits for Communication 307, Field Study in Communication. All research for this paper, which is due at the end of the trip, is to be completed in Rome. In addition to preparing for the tournament itself, the team

will use the tournament as an opportunity to warm up for the national competition on April 6 at the University of Texas in San Marcos. Going into the IFA Tournament, the team is determined to represent the best of Mason to the world. “We are going to Rome to be able to put our hearts on the line, to show that we can represent, with sincere gratitude, our university for what they have given us,”

said junior communication major Brennan Morris, a work study attaché. “As we seek to become more international as a university, these elements of breaking down crosscultural communication and taking our passion for research, scholarship and teamwork to a whole new country [and] a whole new setting is what will help bring George Mason into the future. We are extremely grateful for this opportunity.”

Patriot Games Mason’s ROTC Cadets Prepare for Army Careers Vernon Miles Broadside Reporter “Accountability is key,” said Michael Bell, George Mason University Reserve Officers’ Training Corps recruiting operations officer, as several armloads of dummy M-16s — affectionately known as “rubber ducks” — were carefully removed from his van by a line of ROTC cadets. Every Thursday, Mason’s Patriot Battalion hosts a leadership lab designed to test the cadets in hopes of preparing them for a career in the Army. Many are already contracted to join upon graduation. Some are not contracted but have the option to sign later if they decide Army life is for them. Still others have served a tour, sometimes two, in Iraq or Afghanistan and have come to get their degree. “They’re commissioned as a second lieutenant on graduation,” Bell, a member of the Massachusetts National Guard, said. The lab this Thursday focused on tactical movement; it was an exercise where the battalion is broken into squads of approximately a dozen cadets, and each squad is tasked with a certain scenario, typically involving the

capture and securing of an objective. Cadet Kyle Corle gathered his squad in a circle in front of the intramural ﬁelds. He and cadet William Black built a hasty plan of action from multicolored tabs arranged on the grass. He discussed the endgame of their scenario and the handling of EPWs — “enemy prisoner of war,”— a new phrase for a new army. As Corle’s squad began the practice motions, a few feet away, another cadet instructed his squad on the importance of analyzing the equipment of the enemy to get a greater assessment of the situation. The styles and approaches were noticeably diﬀerent from Corle’s. Corle’s squad readied their “rubber ducks” and marched into the thick forest near the West Campus parking lot. The cadets fanned out and established a defensive perimeter, with cadets Corle and Black at the center. Overseen by cadet Douglas Diaz, Corle and Black once again cleared out a swath of underbrush and prepared for the coming assault. Cadet Michael Wong knelt beside cadets Anne Ward and Patrick Gooley, each prone with

their rifles trained back toward the fields. He instructed them on proper cover positions and they adjusted accordingly. Meanwhile, Diaz instructed Corle and Black on the coming assault, emphasizing the purpose: to neutralize enemy targets and to keep the enemy from establishing a foothold. As Bell would later put it, “You train like you fight.” Diaz informed Corle and the team leaders that the operation was about to begin. Corle relayed orders to the squad leaders. They traveled and spread out deeper into the forest. Cadets Robert Lee, Khoa Doan, and Michael Le Bell took up positions along a dirt path while Ward and Gooley again brought up the rear and scanned the flank. The forest erupted with shouts of “Bang, bang, bang” from the distant and unseen left. After a shift fire order, the closest team advanced through the forest in a controlled charge. As they passed the downed enemies they converged with the formerly unseen team. As the first team aligned on the ridge, the second team secured the EPW. As Le Bell checked one of the prisoners — older cadets dressed

in civilian clothes — his teammate registered that one of the prisoners had tucked a grenade under his vest. As he called it out, Diaz shouted the device had detonated and Le Bell fell to the ground. Corle shouted that they needed a medevac, but Le Bell was dead. Though the day ended on a somber note, there was a general sense of accomplishment following the exercise. “Overall, this was very well done,” Wong said as he debriefed the squad. “Now what do we do with that? We take it and move it forward.” Corle and his leaders were praised for never failing to persevere and seeing the mission through even if it involved improvising. “It’s fun!” said Cadet Jacob Franklin, a sophomore, on the way back. Ward, a grad student, still said she thought it was enjoyable but was less enthusiastic. “It’s just a lot of responsibility.” “It’s overwhelming initially, but the more you practice it, the easier it becomes,” Wong said, reiterating Bell’s message: “Make sure everyone is safe. Accountability is key.”

News Briefs No Fear in Love Race Attracts House of Delegates Rep The second annual No Fear in Love sixmile race — designed to promote healthy dating relationships for 16- to 24-year-olds — was held Saturday, Feb. 25, on the Fairfax campus. Chap Petersen, representative of the 34th District of the Virginia House of Delegates, attended the race along with 62 people. There were 37 runners, said Karen Bontrager, the creater of No Fear in Love. The race was co-sponsored by the Communication Department and the business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi. The Communication Department is working on creating a $3,000 scholarship for No Fear in Love that would benefit a 16- to 24-year-old survivor of dating violence. Bill Stahr, 51, came in first place with a time of 38:08, David Pinnick, 55, finished second with a time of 39:45 and Monique Rico, 44, placed third with a time of 40:10. “We are trying to raise $3,000 for a teen-

dating violence survivor age 16 to 24 for a oneyear scholarship,” Bontrager said. “I started the No Fear in Love race because I discovered that 16- to 24-year-olds are vulnerable to being involved in teen dating violence,” Bontrager said. “I saw that the focus was only on the problem, as opposed to solutions. No Fear in Love is a concept that says, ‘You deserve the best in life. You don’t deserve to have fear in your relationships.’” Bontrager said No Fear in Love is looking for people between the ages of 16 and 24 to form a youth council that would determine who receives the $3,000 scholarship. Anyone interested in joining the council can contact Bontrager at kbontrag@masonlive.gmu.edu or by visiting nofearinloverace.org. -Gregory Connolly Resolution Creates Patriot Corps to Help Students Get Involved with Student Government Resolution 16 to create the Patriot Corps

was passed on Feb. 9 by the Student Senate. The resolution states that the Patriot Corps will enable George Mason University students to participate in Student Government events and have their voices heard. The Patriot Corps is a program aimed toward students who wish to learn more about Student Government before they decide if they want to take part. Students who fail to win an election but still desire to participate in Student Government will also be able to participate in the Patriot Corps. According to the resolution, members of the Patriot Corps will serve as non-voting members of committees, publicize and volunteer at Student Government events and solicit student feedback. The resolution states that the speaker of the Student Senate will administer the Patriot Corps and its members. -Justin Lalputan

Broadside

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Monday, March 5, 2012 | 3

Recession Aﬀects Students’ Degree Choices IT, Biology the Largest Majors at Mason

Ever Heard of These Majors?: 1. Folklore 2. Biodefense 3. eLearning 4. Peace Operations 5. Assistive Technology

Hannah Smith Asst. News Editor Senior Dennis Savonarola is a popular guy. “You do end up getting a lot of calls,” Savonarola said. “They say, ‘Oh, I’m having this computer problem. You’re IT, so you must know how to fix it.’” As an information technology major, Savonarola may find that he is just as in-demand with employers as he is with his friends. And he’s in good company. Information technology has become the most popular major on campus, according to George Mason University’s Office of Institutional Research and Report-

ing. With an increase in enrollment of 46.5 percent over the past five years, IT is one of the fastest growing degree programs at Mason, which doesn’t surprise Savonarola. “I think a lot of people look at it as, ‘I’ll be able to get a job with this,’” Savonarola said. “There’s a bunch of things you can do with it. Pretty much everybody needs IT.” It displaced biology from the top spot. That program has grown by 17.5 percent over the past five years. The third-most sought-after degree, curriculum and instruction, is in the education department. Communication and government round out the top five. On the other hand, enroll-

ment in the largest program in the art department, art and visual technology, is down by 40 percent from its fall 2007 standing. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, the recession began in December of that same year. The ranks of Theater majors are down 20.8 percent, philosophy 21.7 percent, and English 10.6 percent. “Certainly in the recessionary times [students] are looking for ways to ensure that they will get a job when they graduate by choosing majors with a clear career path,” said Janette Muir, associate provost for undergraduate education. So what are employers looking for? According to the National Association of Colleges

Photo of the Week

Photo by Stephen Kline

Members of the Ethiopian Students Association perform at “Cut From the Same Cloth,” an event hosted by the African Student Association that took place in Dewberry Hall Wednesday. that showcased world cultures and also included performances by the Black Mambas and the Filipino Student Association. Don’t miss the Ethiopian Students Association and many other student groups during International Week in April.

and Employers, business, computer science and engineering. Unemployment is lowest among health-care and education degree-holders, according to Forbes. Post-graduation unemployment is highest among architecture majors, presumably because of a burst housing market. One outlier is the School of Management. Although they are highly employable degrees, management student enrollment is down 72.2 percent and marketing is down 62.2 percent. According to Alison O’Brien, associate dean of undergraduate programs within the School of Management, this is because the requirements have been tightened for those pro-

grams. “The perception is that we have higher standards in the School of Management. Is the curriculum rigorous? Absolutely,” O’Brien said. “But it’s preparing students for the rigors of the workforce.” For those discouraged by the recent trend of college students being funneled into career-speciﬁc majors, Muir comes to the defense of a well-rounded education. The skillsets that come from a liberal arts diploma are still highly valued. “A lot of students don’t understand why they have to take the general education classes,” Muir said. “[But] more and more employers want to see strong critical thinking skills, the abil-

ity to work collaboratively in groups, [and] they’d like to see strong communication skills, both written and speaking.” In an economy with unemployment at 22.9 percent among people with only a high school education — according to the National Bureau of Economic Research — a college diploma is more valuable than ever. According to the Oﬃce of Institutional Research and Reporting website, total enrollment at Mason is up 9.9 percent from ﬁve years ago. Enrollment for economics majors is up 38 percent since the beginning of the recession. Maybe it’s no coincidence.

Garrett to Remain Involved in Student Government SENATE, From Front The final charge in the resolution quoted the Student Body Constitution, which stated “Any elected or appointed official under the Student Government of George Mason University can be impeached upon accusations hereby defined as alleged malfeasance, alleged corruption, alleged negligence, dereliction of duty, or alleged misconduct.” Both “alleged malfeasance” and “alleged misconduct” were bolded in the text of the resolution. “[Resolution 27] is not legitimate at all,” Garrett said. “I did not threaten a single individual with a lawsuit. I’m required to give notice. So all I did was cover things on my end, and it’s unfor-

tunate that they felt threatened by what the rules of the local court are.” Bowers spoke to members of the press regarding Thursday’s senate meeting. “I think that what happened today was a huge move for a lot of our student leaders, a really diﬃcult move,” Bowers said. “I also commend Donald Garrett for coming in here and standing up on his behalf to the best of his ability. I really think they did the right thing. I’m not implying that he is guilty or not guilty. That’s up to the Election Disputes Commission.” After the resolution was moved to second reading in Old Business, the senators debated the resolution for nearly an hour. Garrett moved to amend a clause

in the resolution that called for him to appear before an EDC council within 24 hours, asking for one week instead. The amendment failed. Garrett will remain involved with Student Government, according to his letter of resignation. “I have unfinished business in Student Government that will remain until the adjournment of the 32nd Student Senate,” according to the letter. “Seeing such, I will accept Speaker Lee’s offer to join the Speaker’s Patriot Corps so I can finish my responsibilities with What Do You Want Wednesday and the Academic Advising Expo.”

Broadside Will Return Monday, March 26

Broadside

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Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s History Month: Masonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Movers and Shakers Meet Toni-Michelle Travis, Author, Activist, Patriot

Photo by Stephen Kline

Hannah Smith Asst. News Editor The oďŹ&#x192;ce of Professor ToniMichelle Travis is stacked ďŹ&#x201A;oor to

ceiling with books and academic journals. Her slight frame, is dwarfed by the stacks. Although she is small in stature, her research and activism over the years have made monumental changes to the way George Mason University serves women and minorities. Travis is the author of the biannual â&#x20AC;&#x153;Almanac of Virginia Politics,â&#x20AC;? as well as co-author of â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Meaning of DiďŹ&#x20AC;erence: American Constructions of Race, Sex and Gender, Social Class, and Sexual Orientation.â&#x20AC;? She has also been a news analyst for public radio and broadcast television. She once served as the president of the Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Caucus. At Mason she founded the women and gender studies program with Karen Rosenblum, its ďŹ rst director, in 1989.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We used to have a room smaller than this,â&#x20AC;? Travis said. She also helped to found the African-American studies program. On the day that would set those programs in motion, Travis was at a forum called by the provost to discuss tenure for faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences. There were only two African-Americans present. The women in the audience noted that the panel comprised all white males and became upset. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Finally I stood up and said that it was the most racist, sexist gathering Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d ever been in,â&#x20AC;? Travis said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And the room went absolutely silent. We were in the Hub â&#x20AC;&#x201D; SUB II then. And we signed a petition of well over a hundred faculty across this university asking for the develop-

ment of interdisciplinary curriculum, [such as] urban studies, womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s studies, and AfricanAmerican studies.â&#x20AC;? The administration was not exactly supportive. â&#x20AC;&#x153;President Johnson did not see the need,â&#x20AC;? Travis said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He thought it was old-fashioned. He wanted to be new and diďŹ&#x20AC;erent.â&#x20AC;? President George W. Johnson was more interested in introducing ďŹ elds like ecology and information technology. But there were already women lined up to major in women and gender studies majors. One of them was Flora Crater, Travisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; friend and original author of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Almanac of Virginia Politics.â&#x20AC;? Well into her 70s, Crater wanted to come back to Mason just to be a part of the program.

Retention Rates on the Rise Student Academic Affairs, Advising & Retention Implement New Programs Justin Lalputan News Editor Thanks to concerted eďŹ&#x20AC;orts by the oďŹ&#x192;ce of Student Academic AďŹ&#x20AC;airs, Advising & Retention, student retention rates continue to rise at George Mason University. Growing student retention means that more students are staying at Mason and are not transferring to other schools or dropping out. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re trying to do here at Mason is to think in terms of success instead of retention. What are some of the things that we can be thinking about? What are some of the things that we can be doing so that our students can be more successful?â&#x20AC;? said Marcelle Heerschap, dean of Student Academic AďŹ&#x20AC;airs, Advising & Retention. Mason uses the word retention, but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more to it than that. When discussing retention, the term â&#x20AC;&#x153;persistenceâ&#x20AC;? is often used. A student persists between semesters, and is retained from year to year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A student coming in as a freshman persists from the ďŹ rst semester to the second semester. From the ďŹ rst year to the second year also, you talk about persistence. Once you get beyond that ďŹ rst [freshman] year, you talk about retention for subsequent academic years,â&#x20AC;? Heerschap said. In order to increase persistence, success and retention, you

Graphic Courtesy of SAAR

The above graph details the cohorts (number of freshmen) versus academic year and years spent at Mason. need to have people who want it and are willing to work at it, Heerschap said. Student Academic AďŹ&#x20AC;airs, Advising & Retention invites students who have not yet declared a major to speak with their academic advisors. If students reach 60 credits without declaring a major, a hold is placed on their record. They are sent paperwork to declare their major, Heerschap said. There are certain periods in a studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s education when things happen and they are less likely to continue, Heerschap said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For example, if a [ďŹ rst-semester freshman] comes in and has very poor midterm grades and nobody does anything about it, in all likelihood, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not going to have a good ďŹ rst semester,â&#x20AC;? Heerschap said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We try and contact

those students who did not do well.â&#x20AC;? One goal of Masonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s retention plan is to slow the ďŹ&#x201A;ow of sophomores leaving Mason. The lowest retention rates correspond to the transition from sophomore to junior year. Some students at this point discover that their preferred major is not oďŹ&#x20AC;ered at Mason, while others simply build up their GPA and transfer out, Heerschap said. Mason is designing a system whereby students who are leaving can tell the university exactly why they are leaving. With this information, Mason can attempt to help students with similar issues. Two years ago, Student Academic AďŹ&#x20AC;airs, Advising & Retention also ran an early-alert system in which professors of introductory biology and communication

courses were asked to identify which students were not progressing, Heerschap said. Heerschapâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oďŹ&#x192;ce contacted the struggling students to ďŹ nd out what was going wrong. It is diďŹ&#x192;cult to achieve a oneto-one ratio between programs and retention rates, Heerschap said. Last fall, Mason utilized a program known as MAP-works that runs information from a university database and responses to a survey administered to freshmen about a month into the semester through an algorithm designed to identify students at risk of leaving the university, Heerschap said. Students who feel they are having problems in school are encouraged to contact their academic advisor for help.

Travis ďŹ rst became involved in politics when she worked on Capitol Hill, ďŹ rst for a U.S. senator and then spending four summers at the State Department. But it was a local issue that sparked her passion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I grew up in Washington, D.C., where we did not have a vote for the president of the United States, city council or for any elected oďŹ&#x192;ce. And thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how I became interested in government,â&#x20AC;? Travis said. Her research on race politics began with the gubernatorial campaign of Douglas Wilder, who would become the ďŹ rst African-American to govern a U.S. state. When his attorney general, Mary Sue Terry, ran for governor, Travis documented that, too. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She then ran a very poor

campaign and did not become our very ďŹ rst female governor,â&#x20AC;? Travis said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And we still have no history of women as governors in this state.â&#x20AC;? In 2005, Travis asked Flora Crater to publish the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Almanac of Virginia Politicsâ&#x20AC;? out of Mason. They co-edited it until Craterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death at 94. Travis has since taken over its authorship. Travis said that although some believe we live in a postracial, post-gendered America, the need for an interdisciplinary approach to inequality is still there. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have to explicate history. Women have been left out of history. African-Americans have been left out of history,â&#x20AC;? Travis said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We add to the discussion as well as the literature on it.â&#x20AC;?

Academic Policies Committee to Reconsider Drop Deadline DROP DATE, From Front Members of SGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Government and Academic AďŹ&#x20AC;airs Committee also argued that the current time is not long enough for a student to get acclimated to a class and decide if it is a good ďŹ t. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you have a once-a-week class, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s probably the only time youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get anything in the ďŹ rst week,â&#x20AC;? Short said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most of the time, the ďŹ rst class is not really the class. That means if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a twice-a-week class, you only get one class. Then you have to judge [if you like the class] oďŹ&#x20AC; of that.â&#x20AC;? Short also said that he was not made aware of the add/drop deadline being pushed up before the fall semester arrived. Cook said that she was not made aware until late August. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Students would have had to actively seek the academic calendar before the start of the fall semester, on their own whim, to know of the change,â&#x20AC;? Cook said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t remember seeing any departmental announcements going out on listservs. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t remember seeing anything on the usual outlets on campus.â&#x20AC;? At the Faculty Senate meeting on Wednesday, the add/drop deadline was discussed by Suzanne Scott, the current chair of the Academic Policies Committee. As of the time of this publication, Scott has not responded to an email sent by Broadside. Scott presented Resolution

5, a resolution passed by the Student Senate in October 2011, which stated that there were three reasons for the Faculty Senate pushing up the add/drop date. According to Resolution 5, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If there are two weeks to add classes, then the ďŹ rst week students might not show up. The teachers cannot begin grading the class until after two weeks, as opposed to one week, condensing the semester from fourteen weeks to twelve weeks in reality. If not enough students are signed up for the class, a class isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;made.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Requiring students to add within one week, as opposed to two weeks, removes the threat that a teacher may lose a class.â&#x20AC;? These reasons were immediately rejected by members of the Faculty Senate. â&#x20AC;&#x153;[The Student Senate doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t] have any of them right,â&#x20AC;? said Star Muir, a member of the Faculty Senate, at Wednesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Faculty Senate meeting. â&#x20AC;&#x153;None of those three reasons were reasons that we adopted that resolution [to push up the add/drop date]. I would advise the [Student Senate] to go back to why we actually did the [Faculty Senate] resolution.â&#x20AC;? The goal of the current Student Senate resolution is to initiate dialogue, Short said. The Academic Policies Committee will meet over spring break to discuss possibly extending the add/drop date.

What do you think about the add/drop deadline being pushed up?

Interested in writing for Broadside? Stop by the Office of Student Media for more information. Positions are available in all sections. No experience? No problem. Editors are ready and willing to provide training in Associated Press style and reporting. Get your work published today!

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think [that] since we pay so much money there should be more leeway for people who want to drop. But I would have to look at both sides of the argument.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Joshua Masta, Freshman, History If they pushed it back, it would at least give us more of a perspective on the class weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to take. By that time you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know too much about the subject to be dropping it.â&#x20AC;? -Zana Bawazir, Junior, Government

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t #F BU MFBTU ZFBST PG BHF PS BHF JO countries that permit enrollment of adults only) t )BWF B NFEJDBM EJBHOPTJT PG BTUINB t #F PO B TIPSU BDUJOH Â&#x2022;2-agonist or noncorticosteroid medication for at least three months prior to this clinical trial t /PU IBWF VTFE BO JOIBMFE DPSUJDPTUFSPJE GPS BU least six weeks prior to this clinical trial Qualified participants will receive clinical trial-related medical evaluations and clinical trial medication at no cost. In addition, reimbursement for travel may also be provided. Study Information by PPD, Inc. 0408111200

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Broadside

Style

The dollar amount, in millions that “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax” made in its debut weekend.

Monday, March 05, 2012

SUB-RADIO STANDARD WINS BATTLE OF THE BANDS Local Alt-Rockers Earn Top Honors and the Chance to Open for Hot Chelle Rae at Mason Day

Students Turn to Online Shopping Cite Discounts, Accessibility Krista Germanis Asst. Style Editor

Photo by: Stephen Kline

Combining pure talent with an energetic performance, Sub-Radio Standard won the Battle of the Bands Friday night, beating out four other groups to receive the opportunity to open for Hot Chelle Rae

Jeffrey Giorgi Style Editor On Friday night, five talented bands battled for the right to open for this year’s Mason Day headliner, Hot Chelle Rae. From indie to rap/rock, the five gave their all and delivered a stellar show. Walking into the ballroom on the top floor of The Hub (SUB II), students passed by tables offering giveaways. Posters, CDs and sample-size sticks of deodorant were available for students to grab while they jammed out to awesome tunes. The Summer Floods kicked the night off with some mellow-but-engaging indie rock. Longtime readers of Broadside might have recognized frontman Ramy Zabarah, the former style section editor. Their second song of the evening, “It’s a Hurricane!,” was a highlight of the set.

With a midlevel tempo and Zabarah’s vocals adding to the ambience of the moment, the entire crowd swayed and swooned for the remainder of their performance. With each band limited to 20 minutes on stage, everyone had to bring their A game to win over the judges. As The Summer Floods’ set came to an end, the lights shifted and the crowd migrated to the other end of the room where The 6th Degree were getting fired up. Dreamy — that’s the best way to describe The 6th Degree’s music. Absent vocals, their powerful guitar riffs and controlled drums rocked the audience. Getting a crowd excited without a singer is a difficult task, but The 6th Degree’s music did all the talking for them, and the audience and judges liked what they heard. The 6th Degree placed second in the competition.

Atlas came on third, combining elements of ska, hardcore and more traditional rock. They were the heaviest band of the evening. While The Summer Floods and The 6th Degree encouraged the audience to get closer to the stage using the typical “We don’t bite” appeals, Atlas talked to the audience and even took a second to tell a joke. Their style and humor earned them third place. Having seven people on stage at one time, Two Days Notice was the largest, most intricate band of the evening. “We like to play the three R’s,” said frontman V. “Rap, Rock and Reggae.” Asking the audience to take part right away, Two Days Notice was out to steal the show. Their final song of the evening was a love letter to George Mason University, about pride and what it means to be a Patriot. V led an anthem chanting out “GMU”

First Place — Sub-Radio Standard

over and over, energizing the crowd for the last band. Last to take the stage was Sub-Radio Standard. Not to take away from any of the other bands performing, but by the end of their first song, it was clear that they would be taking home top honors. Sounding like a cross between The Fray and Jack’s Mannequin, Sub-Radio Standard had a polished sound and a singer with the voice of an angel. Their last number, an anti-war anthem, had the entire crowd singing along by the end — the mark of a job well done. As an added bonus, and to everyone’s surprise, the announcement of whom SubRadio Standard would be opening for was made: Hot Chelle Rae. Known for their hit-single “Tonight Tonight,” Hot Chelle Rae and Sub-Radio Standard will be taking the stage at Mason Day on April 27.

Second Place — The 6th Degree

Good Tunes – “Birth (Chapter 3 Part 1)” “Epiphania (Chapter 4 Part 2) “

Good Tunes – “Where I’m Coming From” “Dresden”

Photo Courtesy of Sub-Radio Standard

Members: Adam Bradley – Lead Vocals Matt Prodanovich – Rhythm Guitar Michael Pereira – Drums Mark “Barry” Siford – Bass John Fengya – Lead Guitar/Keyboards Mike Chinen – Guitar/Keyboards Mason Connection: Siford, Pereira After Sub-Radio Standard won the Battle of the Bands competition Friday night, I had a chance to sit down and talk with them to find out a little more about the band that will open for Hot Chelle Rae at Mason Day. “Winning feels really, really, really freaking good,” said Siford, the bassist and a Mason student. “Especially since we’re opening up for a band like Hot Chelle Rae at an event like Mason Day.” Playing at events like Battle of the Bands is commonplace for Sub-Radio Standard, but playing a venue as massive as Mason Day will be a first for them. “I think that all of our shows combined would equal what we were told to expect for Mason Day,” Siford said. Sub-Radio Standard has been playing with its current lineup for over a year and is preparing to release its first full-length album. “It’s got 13 tracks on it, and we’re releasing it independently,” Siford said. “You can listen to the songs online. You can’t download any of them right now, but we have plans for iTunes and stuff like that in the near future.” You can check out Sub-Radio Standard on Facebook as well as on Soundcloud and Myspace.

Photo Courtesy of The 6th Degree

Members: Ryan McCreedy – Lead Guitar Jason Pevey – Rhythm Guitar Donnie Cantrell – Bass Damon Bishop – Drums Mason Connection: McCreedy Coming out sans-shoes, The 6th Degree took home second place in the Battle of the Bands competition Friday night. “It was hot on stage, and we didn’t know how to get cooler without stripping down. So we just took our shoes off,” said Ryan McCreedy, lead guitarist. “We had a really bad pun prepared: ‘Hey we’re going to play some shoe-sic. We hope it touches your sole.’” Playing their entire set without vocals and still picking up second place came as a surprise to the musicians, who didn’t expect to place after seeing that Atlas placed third. “I was like, ‘OK, guys. Let’s get out of here.’ And then they called us up,” McCreedy said. With the battle behind them, The 6th Degree has its sights set on the future. “We’re working on a new album that’s going to have a few tracks with vocals, and then every album after that will have vocals,” McCreedy said. “One of our new tracks will have dubstep influence, and I don’t know of any band that mixes postrock and dubstep.” The band’s immediate goal is perfecting the material they already have, while adding to it. Check out The 6th Degree on Facebook and Myspace.

Online shopping has become one of the most viable forms of commerce. Almost all major stores have online sister sites, some even having special offers only available on their website. According to a September 2011 article by Orange Collar Media, Americans spent $186 billion online in 2010. During college, money can be tight. Combine that with students not having cars, and it can be difficult to even get to stores. That is when most of us turn to the Internet. Almost anything can be purchased online, from food to technology to clothing, which is convenient in a college setting. According to the same Orange Collar Media article, clothing is the most purchased item on the Internet. There are thousands of clothing stores on the web, many of which operate exclusively online. While the web offers convenience, brick-and-mortar stores still attract customers. “I enjoy shopping online at places like Wet Seal,” said freshman psychology major Katelyn Squicciarini, “but I like going to the store better. I enjoy trying on the clothing.” Of course, there is another side to that coin. “I prefer online shopping because they have smaller sizes that they usually seem to run out of at the store,” said freshman bioengineering major Kathryn Radom. According to a 2006 survey conducted by Experience Inc. in 2006, whose results were released two months ago, 98 percent of college students have bought some product or service online. The study also found that college students spend a lot of time researching products before they buy them and consequently, when students do make a purchase, they tend to do it online. Shopping on the computer also allows people to find many one-of-a-kind items. Online stores such as eBay and Etsy have smaller stores run by individuals or groups offering unique items most people would not be able to find in traditional stores. Many eBay stores, including American Archive, feature quality vintage clothing. American Archive sells clothing, carrying everything from old Harley Davidson shirts to Christian Dior sweaters. Etsy focuses on selling handmade and vintage items, but carries almost anything you can think of. The site consists of many smaller stores where individuals sell their products. Buyers can find everything from photographs taken by sellers to handcrafted jewelry and shoes as well as handmade and vintage clothing. A study conducted online by Internet advertising network Burst Media in 2007 found college students spend more time with the Internet than any other media. Of the 439 college students who were surveyed, Burst found that 26.6 percent of males and 16.7 percent of females prefer to shop online, but the sample size was not large enough sample to make this finding conclusive. Online shopping is an easy and efficient way for college students to purchase almost everything. Online stores usually have better prices and deals. Of course, the devil is in the details. While there may be better deals online, you usually have to pay for shipping and, unfortunately, you can’t try clothes on online.

Broadside

6 | Monday, March 5, 2012

Style

Third Annual GBAY is Great Success Student-Run Auction Raises Money for Mason’s Scholarship Fund Jeffrey Giorgi Style Editor Raising your hand is a universal way of saying you would like to be heard. When you add in money and items of value, that raised hand is a universal way of saying, “Mine.” The third annual George Mason University GBAY auction drew a large crowd of faculty and students Thursday night to raise money for Mason’s scholarship fund. At the time of this printing, the exact amount raised had yet to be released. In addition to the money raised through the auction, all proceeds from Dippin’ Dots ice cream sales during the event went to the scholarship fund.

Items up for bid ranged from autographed Mason sports memorabilia to lunch with President Alan Merten. The lunch with Merten sparked a bidding war that ended with a final bid of $150 from junior psychology major Alex Thomas. “I’m really pumped,” Thomas said. “One of my friends and I talked about it and we got one other person to chip in, so it’s only $50 apiece. Besides, it’s lunch with the president who’s done so much for the school over the past 18 years.” One bidder — a member of Mason’s crew of green-and-goldmorph-suit-wearing “G-Men” who frequent Mason basketball games — was visibly upset about not winning the lunch with Merten.

“I was devastated,” said GMan Papa Giorgio, a freshman economics major. “I really thought we’d get some good air time with President Merten before he left.” Papa Giorgio did not go home empty-handed — he later secured a package of Mason basketball paraphernalia that included bobble head figurines of all five of the starters from the 2006 Final Four run. “I’m still really pumped to get the Merten package [with the bobble heads],” Papa Giorgio said. “Anything to support Mason and the Patriots.” Students’ love for Patriots basketball runs deep. Last year, one of the most popular items was a banner from the 2006 Final Four tournament that went to junior government major Alex Williams,

who was back for more this year. “This year, I really want the lunch with Paul Hewitt,” Williams said. “I love basketball. I love Mason basketball. It means a lot to me. That’s why I bid so much last time.” The auction wasn’t all about basketball. Every year since GBAY’s inception, students have been able to bid for the right to create and name an original smoothie, an original burger and now, for the first time, an original pizza. If the item proves popular enough, it becomes a permanent item on the menu at Pilot House. The right to name a burger at the Rathskeller sold for just $65 this year, as opposed to last year when it was auctioned off for $215. “We’re going to call it the

Button Mashing: Mass Effect Broadside Correspondent “Mass Effect 3” is right around the corner, and for some gamers, this is the best news they’ve heard in a while. For those unfamiliar with the “Mass Effect” series, this is a great time to get caught up and weigh the decision to jump into the battle to save the galaxy. The original “Mass Effect” was released in November 2007 and earned 91 out of a possible 100 points on the Metacritic rating scale. The storyline of the original game unfolds several hundred years into the future as you take control of a male or female version of the game’s protagonist, Commander Sheppard. Humankind has made technical leaps and bounds, space travel has become instant and alien technology has been found on Mars. When a Prothean Beacon is unearthed on the Earth-like colony of Eden Prime, it is revealed that Saren Arterious, a Spectre — agents who are entrusted with great authority by the Galactic Council — has gone rogue and is leading a race of artificially intelligent aliens known as the Geth. Saren’s purpose behind this attack was to use the beacon and find clues that would lead him to the Conduit, the key component in reviving the Reapers — a highly evolved race of mechanical and organic machines that reside in the deepest parts of space. Saren’s attempt to cover his tracks by destroying Eden Prime fails when the Alliance Ship SSV Normandy responds to the distress signals from Eden Prime faster than Saren had anticipated. Commander Sheppard leads a ground team to secure the beacon. Commander Sheppard locates the beacon, but when approaching the mysterious alien artifact, he or she sees visions of a future full of death and destruction. Through a twist of fate, Com-

mander Sheppard joins the Spectres, and is then made first-incommand of the joint-funded ship, the Normandy. You must now sift endlessly through the galaxy in search of Saren, and bring him down. You will see vast alien worlds, engage in futuristic combat and find lost alien technology. Joining Sheppard in the galaxy-wide manhunt for Saren is Kaiden Alenko, a staff lieutenant of the Normandy; Ashley Williams, who at one point served in the System Alliance as a gunner chief before being assigned to Sheppard’s squad after the events on Eden Prime; and the Turian Garrus Vakarian, a former C-Sec officer who was responsible for the investigation of Saren. These are just a few of the characters that accompany Sheppard in “Mass Effect.” However, it is the player who determines their fates. The actions and choices the player makes can determine who will live and who will die. “Mass Effect 2” was released on Jan. 26, 2010, earning 96 points from Metacritic. Beginning in the year 2183, one month after the events of the first game, the Normandy is on patrol to locate and destroy any of the remaining Geth when it falls under attack by an unknown assailant. The Normandy sustains substantial damage, forcing the crew to make a mad dash to the escape pods and abandon ship. The ship’s pilot, Joker, risks his life to continue piloting the ship, but he is rescued by Commander Sheppard, who drags Joker to an escape pod. Before Sheppard boards the last escape pod, however, the Normandy takes another critical attack and an explosion sends Sheppard flying through a cloud of debris. When a piece of debris slices through Sheppard’s suit, his air supply is cut off and his lifeless body drifts through space and falls into a nearby planet’s atmosphere. Sheppard awakens in the year 2185, aboard a Cerberus space station, a research facility involved in the Lazarus Project, which is then

“First, we make a letter that we send out to businesses in the D.C. tri-state area,” said Anna Haber, a junior accounting major. “If we don’t hear back from them, we try to show our faces and approach the businesses in person or follow up with phone calls.” Even those who came to GBAY but didn’t notch a successful bid left with something. All ticket holders received a goodie bag containing an auction paddle, various freebies and one of the popular Mason rubber duckies. With this year’s GBAY over, sights are already on next year’s. “We have big plans for next year, too,” Haber said. “We’re getting more items, bigger items and hopefully getting even more people to come out next year.”

I d Rather Be Eating

Coyote Grille and Cantina

Learn about the Epic Sci-Fi Trilogy Antonio Washington

Saucy Drag Queen, aka the SDQ” said MaryAnn Vega, a sophomore art history major. “It’s going to be a flavor bomb — cheese in the patty, ham on top, with bacon on top of that and so much more.” Those who showed up early heard Mason’s own GMUnit perform “Good Life” by OneRepublic and “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay. The all-male a cappella group serenaded the audience, enticing participants to bid for the chance to have them sing for an unsuspecting friend at a time and place of the bidder’s choosing. In addition to the Masoncentric items up for bid, several businesses from Washington, D.C., and the surrounding area donated items or services. Securing these items for the auction took time and planning.

Katie Hennis

Photo Courtesy of Electronic Arts

Fight for the Galaxy on March 6th attacked by security machines. After Sheppard aids two agents of Cerberus in escaping the facility, Sheppard is then taken to Cerberus HQ and is granted an audience with the Illusive Man — a shadowy figure whose motives aren’t clear — who explains to Sheppard what happened after the attack on the Normandy, and the new “upgrades” the stout-hearted commander received during his two-year slumber. Sheppard and the team are then dispatched to investigate an attacked colony of Freedom’s Progress, located in a nearby star system. Sheppard is reunited with Tali’Zorah vas Neema, one of Sheppard’s former squad members from the first game, and discovers that insect-like Collectors were behind the attack on the space station and are also responsible for a number of attacks on other colonies as well. Sheppard reports back to the Illusive Man, who places Sheppard in command of the Normandy SR2, a larger, faster ship modeled after the original SSV Normandy. With guidance from the Illusive Man, Sheppard begins to travel across the galaxy once again to recruit a new team for what is turning out to be a suicide mission. That’s the “Mass Effect” series in a nutshell. There is more content, story and characters to explain, but it would take a while to encapsulate everything. “Mass Ef-

fect” gives the player total freedom; cinematic dialogue gives players the option to replay the game any way they want. For example, you can take on the role of a paragon or a renegade. All of your decisions will open up choices in cinematic dialogue in which Sheppard can actually say what’s on his or her mind — and not care of the consequences. The interesting thing about “Mass Effect” is that all of the choices and actions made in the first two installments of the series will carry over to “Mass Effect 3.” For example, if the player failed to complete a particular side mission in the first “Mass Effect,” he will not even know who or what the organization Cerberus is in “Mass Effect 2.” Missing out on this information isn’t detrimental to the player’s experience, but it does give the player an incentive to do more side missions rather that running through the main story. Rather than alienate those who haven’t played the “Mass Effect” series, EA has stated that “Mass Effect 3” will be widely accessible to people who have yet to play either of the first two games. The demo for “Mass Effect 3” can be found on Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. The conclusion of BioWare’s epic trilogy will launch March 6, 2012.

Free Tickets for Mason Students! Theater of the First Amendment Lift: Icarus and Me Jan.19 – Feb. 5 Thurs. & Fri. at 8 pm; Sat. at 2 & 8 pm; Sun. at 4 pm (Feb. 5 at 2 pm) $30, $25 Harris Theater Free Student Tickets Available NOW!

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Charles Dutoit, Conductor Fri., Jan. 20 at 8 pm $50, $42, $25 Concert Hall Free Student Tickets Available NOW!

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra David Kim, violin Sat., Jan 21 at 8 pm $60, $55, $45, $35 Concert Hall Limited Student Tickets Available NOW!

I cannot believe I’m a senior and only recently made my way to Coyote Grille & Cantina. I’ve always heard that the food is decent and reasonably priced, so I finally gave it a shot last weekend with my best friend, Lyndsey. We have only good things to say about it. Coyote Grille is conveniently close to campus in the Main Street Marketplace near Noodles & Company. Coyote Grille is your typical Mexican restaurant but with more culinary flair. The menu is impressive and provides guests with a variety of traditional and modern dishes. Our overall dining experience was great, but there were a couple minor disappointments. Seeing as it was a Saturday, Lyndsey and I decided to have a beverage with our lunch. She ordered a traditional frozen margarita, and I chose the sangria. The sangria wasn’t anything special — it wasn’t prepared with any fresh fruit and tasted like something you could buy at the store. Lyndsey’s margarita, however, was on point and refreshing. We also shared an order of queso with complementary chips and salsa. None of it was great, but it hit the spot while we were waiting for our entrées. But enough with the bad — let’s get to the good stuff. I was torn over the entrées. I wanted to order grilled fish tacos because I was in the mood for something light, but I am a sucker for carnitas, which is what I tend to order when I’m out for Mexican

food. Luckily, Lyndsey wanted to order the carnitas, so I got to try both in one visit. Both of the entrées were tasty and exceeded my expectations, leaving me full and pleased. An order of the grilled fish tacos comes with two flour tortillas filled with freshly grilled tilapia, lettuce, pico de gallo, avocado and chipotle dressing. They are served with black beans, rice and sour cream. Not only were the tacos light and refreshing, the portion size was enough to fill you up, take home leftovers or share. All of the ingredients were fresh and complimented one another. Lyndsey’s carnitas were prepared perfectly. This is the right dish to satisfy any pork craving. The pork is slow-roasted with onions, chilies and oranges. It is served with flour tortillas, rice, refried beans, pico de gallo and sour cream. Unlike the grilled fish tacos, the carnitas are served unassembled, allowing diners to build their own creation. I had a couple bites of the shredded pork, and it was delicious. Despite the disappointing start to our meal, I was impressed by our entrées and will be going back for more soon. I cannot wait until the weather warms up, and the patio opens. You can still eat in the patio area during the colder months, as it is enclosed and heated, but nothing beats outdoor dining in the summertime! Although Mason students do not receive a discount, the prices are reasonable and less expensive than at La Tolteca or Uncle Julio’s. The service is decent, and the atmosphere is relaxing. Coyote Grille opens every day at 11 a.m. and serves a Mexicanstyle brunch on Sundays. Until next time, I’d rather be eating...

Coyote Grill and Cantia Hours of Operation Open Daily at 11 a.m. Lunch & Dinner Mon-Thurs Close at 9:30 p.m, Fri-Sat Close at 10 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Call (703) 993-8888 or visit gmu.edu/cfa/students The Black Watch and Band of The Welsh Guard The Pipes, Drums And Highland Dancers of 1st Battalion Sat., Jan. 28 at 2 & 8 pm $44, $36, $22 Concert Hall Free Student Tickets Available NOW!

Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel Mozart and Chopin: Virtuoso Variations

GMU Players Studio Series Eccentricities of a Nightingale by Tennessee Williams Feb. 3 – Feb. 5 Fri. & Sat. at 8 pm; Sat. & Sun. at 2 pm Free, tickets required Black Box Limited Student Tickets Available Jan. 24

Ahn Trio Sat., Feb. 4 at 8 pm $40, $32, $20 Concert Hall Free Student Tickets Available Jan. 24 Sponsored by: Verizon Federal Network Systems – American Echoes Series Sponsor

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Celtic Woman Plays Patriot Center Annual Show Impresses With One of a Kind Performance Nathan Dorfman Broadside Correspondent Time and again, internationally renowned music group Celtic Woman has won the hearts of Patriot Center audiences. They perform at the arena every year and returned Saturday on their latest American tour “Believe.” Celtic Woman is an all-female singing sensation, comprised of three vocalists — Chloe Agnew, Lisa Lambe and Susan McFadden — as well as effervescent violinist Mairead Nesbitt. As the show started, bright, multi-colored lights shined into the audience. The raised stage was set with veiled curtains, and drum sets towered over side platforms. With slow and careful grace, Nesbitt played the violin, accompanied by a piano, a guitar, drums and a haunting tin whistle. Nesbitt, wearing a sparkling, baby blue dress, smiled at the receptive audience. Seconds later, the three vocalists stepped out while singing their high-energy opening number “Awakening.” Agnew, Lambe and McFadden wore a pink dress, lavender dress and purple dress respectively. The appreciation between the audience members and Celtic Woman was mutual. “We’re delighted to be back in Fairfax and to bring our show to you,” said Agnew, 22, Celtic Woman’s youngest member. “I hope you can all take something special from it.” Celtic Woman performs a wide variety of songs, from pop standards to Broadway numbers. However, some of the show’s most profound moments come when Celtic Woman performs traditional Irish ballads. “We Irish love to sing,”

Lambe said. “Music has been with us from the time we were very small.” Traditional songs included “Danny Boy” and “Mo Ghile Mear,” some of which were sung in Gaelic. What makes a Celtic Woman show special is that each performance is distinct, with the vocalists taking on different character personas in each song they sing. For example, in the Irish song “Teir Abhaile Riu,” Agnew, Lambe, McFadden and Nesbitt take on a flirtatious tone, stepping into the audience and inter-

What makes a Celtic Woman show special is that each performance is distinct, with the vocalists taking on different character personas in each song they sing. acting with concertgoers in the front row. Other poignant songs included a stirring rendition of “Amazing Grace,” accompanied by bagpipes and “Green Grow the Rushes,” during which Agnew encouraged the audience to sing along. “Don’t be shy. We’re all friends here,” said Agnew, as the lights turned up. Agnew explained that “Green Grow the Rushes” is a Celtic melody which became popular in Scottish pubs where people would sing together. “The song acknowledges that while God creating men is good, the creating of women is

even greater,” Agnew said. An experienced performer in Savoy Theater at London’s West End, Susan McFadden is the group’s newest member. “It is an honor to be on my first-ever tour with Celtic Woman,” McFadden said. All four Celtic women charmed and inspired the audience, yet Nesbitt, the vivacious violinist, was a genuine crowd pleaser. “She levitates across the stage,” said Walt Urban, who traveled from Medford, N.J., to see the performance. “Like Tinker Bell,” added audience member Gregg Snaza, from Portsmouth, Va. Concertgoers are typically familiar with Celtic Woman for their fundraising performances on PBS, yet find live concerts all the more spectacular. “This is better since people aren’t interrupting to sell us things,” Snaza said. At the conclusion of the performance, the audience gave Celtic Woman a standing ovation, and obligingly, the group played a one-song encore. “We want to send you home hopping and jumping,” Agnew said. The performers’ soothing soprano voices and angelic appearances made watching Celtic Woman’s Patriot Center concert a pleasurable experience that was over all too soon. But then again, all great things must come to an end. “Go n-eiri an bothar leat,” Lambe said, bidding the audience farewell with a traditional Irish saying. “May the road rise to meet you.”

The Ultimate Party Movie? They Said it Was “Superbad” Meets “The Hangover” — They Lied Jeffrey Giorgi Style Editor Flame thrower — check. Mayhem — check. Best party movie ever — two out of three isn’t bad. It’s disappointing to report that “Project X” doesn’t rise to the lofty expectations it set for itself. That’s not to say it’s a bad movie, but with comparisons to “Superbad” and “The Hangover” in the trailers, the film set its own bar too high. If you’ve somehow managed to not see the trailers for “Project X,” it’s the story of three dudes — because it’s always three — who set out to have a small party in an attempt to become popular but end up throwing the kind of party most fraternities only dream about. The gags are plentiful, and there are more than enough WTF moments. In particular, the pint-sized security team played by Brady Hender and Nick Nervies steals the show. If “Project X” had focused more on concocting original material — like it did with the security team — and spent less time trying to duplicate some tried-and-true formula, it could have been this year’s best R-rated comedy. The real problem with this movie lies in the three leads. “Superbad” and “The Hangover” worked because we cared about the characters, and they gave us something to laugh at between the sight gags and bigger set pieces. The “Project X” characters fall short of the standard set in these earlier and better films. Thomas Mann plays the lead, Thomas, and does a decent job of portraying the slightly awkward straight man perfected by Michael Cera. Take one guess at which other “Superbad” star the other two friends emulate. In

Photo by: Stephen Kline

“Project X” takes the party movie formula and cranks the dial to 11, but not every epic party is all it’s cracked up to be. “Superbad,” Jonah Hill was foulmouthed and brash, but with a dash of pathos thrown in, ensuring he was more than just a collection of F-bombs and dick jokes. In contrast, “Project X” supporting players Oliver Cooper (Costa) and Jonathan Daniel Brown (JB) are just plain rude. The film is funny, though, and some moments are epic. Like “Chronicle” earlier this year, this film attempts to reappropriate the found-footage genre from the realm of horror flicks.

While it’s not unrealistic to constantly record a party that reaches the magnitude of the one in “Project X,” I don’t understand why this particular cinematic device was used. There aren’t many moments where the film benefits from the foundfootage treatment, but neither does it take away from the experience. All in all, I’m sure that when “21 Jump Street” comes out in a few weeks, it will crush “Project X” in box-office sales. What a shame.

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8 | Monday, February 27, 2012

Broadside

Opinion

Opinion Monday, March 5, 2012

Broadside

Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down

George Mason University’s Student Newspaper

Thumbs up to spring break starting on Friday! Thumbs up to second semester being half-way over. This year has gone by so fast! Thumbs up to the beatuiful weather that meteorologists have promised for the upcoming week.

Gregory Connolly, Editor-in-Chief

Cody Norman, Managing Editor Jacquelyn Rioux, Copy Chief Justin Lalputan, News Editor Hannah Smith, Asst. News Editor Rebecca Norris, Opinion Editor Jeff Giorgi, Style Editor Cody Norman, Sports Editor Colleen Wilson, Asst. Sports Editor Stephen Kline, Photography Editor Krista Germanis, Asst. Style Editor

Benjamin Shaffer, Copy Editor Priya Pansuria, Copy Editor Shannon Park, Copy Editor Michelle Buser, Designer Janelle Germanos, Staff Reporter Jacques Mouyal, Business Manager Kathryn Mangus, Faculty Adviser David Carroll, Associate Director

Thumbs down to homework and projects over spring break. Thumbs down to the new housing selection process. People who aren’t in groups have to wait until late March to select where they will be living next year. Thumbs down to Spring Break only being a week long!

The letters, columns and views expressed on this page are solely those of the writers. They do not reﬂect the views of Broadside or its staff, unless otherwise noted. Broadside is a weekly publication printed each Monday for the George Mason University and surrounding Fairfax community. The editors at Broadside have exclusive authority over the content that is published. There are no outside parties that play a role in the newspaper’s content, and should there be a question or complaint regarding this policy, the editorin-chief should be notiﬁed at the information given above. Broadside is a free publication. Limit one copy per person. Each additional copy is 25 cents.

I’m Rich! How About You? Our Lives Shouldn’t Be Defined by the Effects of Advertisements Hala Numan

Columnist We live in a society where we are constantly bombarded with advertisements, sales and competition. We’re always on the lookout for the next Banana Republic sale and who has the new iPad. We obsess about how skinny Eva Longoria looks in a bathing suit. We judge ourselves and others based on unattainable ideals the media portray as realistic. In reality, these standards are designed to make us mindless consumers. As long as corporations enjoy wide profit margins, they’re not going to do a damn thing about the downfall of our society. Life is not a business transaction. Being a valuable individual is not about spending time and money accumulating material goods. It is not about saving time and money at the expense of health and happiness. Life is about attaining a balance, about having multiple human experiences as one develops; it is about constantly bettering oneself. But some individuals desire to spend their lives chasing fame and fortune. Honestly, what is wealth without the support of a loved one? Without the bonds of friendship and love, life amounts to nothing more than empty gestures and artificial relationships. So you’re at the local suermarket and instead of purchasing the organic apples that are obviously not waxed to death, you buy

the cheap, toxic alternative. The only reason you do that is because it is economical. In the end, you’re spending your health rather than your riches. What will your wealth do for you when you’re ill from ingesting so many poisonous pesticides and hormones? The answer is most definitely not medication. In fact, medication doesn’t cure a person of an illness. On the contrary, it only causes the illness to subside for some time, only to reappear later in another form. Saving that extra dollar at the risk of opening a gateway to a future illness is not a transaction I’m willing to make. By becoming an individual who demoralizes others only to harass and criticize them, a person is playing by the rules established by corporations. We shouldn’t judge one another by material wealth or by physical weight. We should accept one another and weigh each other’s hearts and intentions. We should purchase food that nourishes us rather than food that harms us. We shouldn’t slave away in the office to inflate next week’s paycheck just so we can buy new Ray-Bans. By all means, buy Ray-Bans — but not at the cost of your time and wellbeing. We should use that extra time to build lasting relationships with our lovers and friends. Lastly, we shouldn’t ever use the fashion industry’s ideals of beauty as a standard for comparison with our own distinctiveness. The essence of this life is to find a balance that enriches our experience. I can tell you one thing is for damn sure: I don’t owe my money, time or health to Gucci, Kim Kardashian or the food industry’s vile inorganic apples.

Got an opinion? Share it by writing a letter to the editor. Send it to opinion@broadsideonline.com

Fighting the Fat: Calorie Counts on Menus

New York and California Passed these Laws, Would Virginia Beneﬁt From Doing the Same? Kristin Janiero

Columnist In 2008, New York and California passed laws requiring restaurant chains with more than 15 and 20 locations respectively to post calorie counts on their menus, the idea being that with access to such information, customers would make healthier decisions when ordering. A study published in 2011 in the British Medical Journal surveyed roughly 8,000 New Yorkers and determined one in six customers pays attention to calorie counts when ordering. Those who considered this information consumed, on average, 106 calories fewer than those who did not. These results are promising, although not stellar, for those fighting the obesity epidemic in the United States. Would this law be beneficial in Virginia? To answer this question, we must first examine the two stakeholders that would be

affected: restaurant chains with more than 15 or 20 locations and the customers who dine in them. The laws in New York and California have inconvenienced restaurant chains, particularly smaller chains that lack the necessary capital to make drastic changes to their printed menus. Restaurants in New York can be fined up to $2,000 for violations running the gamut from neglecting to post calorie counts to printing the information too small. The problem lies not only in the cost of printing of new menus. Reprinting 50 menus today would probably not cost more than $20. The trouble also stems from determining the calorie counts, ensuring consistency and creating menu options that appeal to customers looking for lower-calorie dishes. Consider a chain restaurant with more than 15 locations that offers a popular chicken salad prior to the passage of a caloriecount law. Once the law is enacted, the restaurant chain must conduct a nutritional analysis of the salad and ensure that its preparation is consistent in each location. If one employee scoops an extra ladle of dressing onto the salad, the calorie count printed on menus is no longer accurate.

substantial portion of baby boomers is expected to outlive their children, who may die of obesity-related medical complications. At a certain point, it may be necessary for the government to intervene in a matter that so directly and dangerously impacts the future of our country. In the end, this question boils down to whether businesses should have to shoulder a certain amount of responsibility for correcting America’s weight problem. I would like to see a calorie count law passed in Virginia. With a 25.9 percent adult obesity rate and a 61.2 percent combined overweight and obese adult rate, as reported by the Trust for America’s Health, Virginia needs to look into ways to correct this problem. While the adjustments may be difficult for small restaurant chains, the struggles will be short-lived. Once menus are changed, customers will adapt. Change would not drastically reduce any given chain’s business. Easily accessible nutrition facts and healthier menu options will enable individuals to make healthier choices that could help to ameliorate the obesity problem on the national scale.

Disney Creates the Norm

Hetero-Romantic Relationships in Children’s Movies Shape Future Values of Viewers Rebecca Norris

Opinion Editor We were all five once — that age when we were transfixed by beloved Disney characters. The funny thing is that back then, we probably never realized how these children’s movies perpetuate the privileged status of heterosexuality. “Heterosexuality is constructed through hetero-romantic love relationships as exceptional, powerful, magical, and transformative,” said Karin A. Martin and Emily Kazyak, the authors of “Hetero-Romantic Love and Heterosexiness in Children’s G-Rated Films.” The researchers explained

that by the time children enter elementary school, they have a general heteronormative worldview. “Heteronormativity structures social life so that heterosexuality is always assumed, expected, ordinary and privileged,” Martin and Kazyak said. “Its pervasiveness makes it difficult for people to imagine other ways of life.” Many people claim they support their children in whatever relationship choice they make, but it’s important to note that these same people also show their children Disney movies, thereby reinforcing a heteronormative worldview. Parents and guardians are often unaware of the heteronormative effect of the media. They view these movies as nothing more than entertainment. They fail to see that these very media are helping to shape their children’s identities from an early age. So how do these movies influence identity?

Editorial Board: Note: Letters to the editor are welcome and are printed on the basis of space, quality and timeliness. All submissions are the property of Broadside and may be edited for brevity, clarity and grammar. Material containing libel, racial slurs, personal attacks or obscenities may be edited or rejected. The author’s name, class year (and/or title where appropriate), major and daytime phone number must be included for veriﬁcation of authenticity. The deadline for submission is Thursday by 10 p.m.

Some customers might be shocked by the caloric content of the salad and stop ordering it or choose to dine elsewhere. At this point, the restaurant could replace the breaded chicken in the salad with grilled chicken and substitute a low-fat dressing, reducing the salad’s calorie total. This change may make the health-conscious crowd happy, but it could upset customers who don’t regard the numbers. Businesses run the risk of losing money and customers in this attempt to curb our collective obesity problem. On the other hand, consumers have the right to ask for accurate and accessible nutritional information. We have access to these sorts of facts in nearly every other aspect of our consumer behavior, from buying a new blender to choosing a new car. When we buy pre-packaged food at a grocery store, we can view the nutritional facts on the packaging. Why not at a restaurant? Requiring restaurants to post these data on the menu facilitates healthier eating in a society that has become a bit more than lax about personal health. We have a serious problem in this country. According to a 2010 article published on WebMD, a

Gregory Connolly, Editor-in-Chief Cody Norman, Managing Editor Jacquelyn Rioux, Copy Chief Rebecca Norris, Opinion Editor

Disney movies are popular for their touching plots and colorful graphics. For the most part, these movies target both boys and girls. If you look closely, however, you realize movies such as “Cars” utilize masculine colors and concepts, whereas the princess movies abound with more feminine pastel colors, flowers and sparkly settings. The problem is not the colors or the settings per se but what these elements represent. Consider “Pocahontas,” “Tangled,” “Cinderella” or any other princess movie. Do you notice how something as normal as a kiss generates fireworks out of thin air? How the setting in such a scene reacts to manifestations of heterosexual relationships reinforces the idea that this type of relationship is transformative and can change the world. What about love between two men or two women? Why can’t Disney movies portray how their love can change the world as well? After all, Disney enjoys a

All unsigned staff editorials are written to represent the view of the Broadside staff, a diverse set of opinions determined by the members of the editorial board. Letters to the editor, columns, artwork and other commentaries strictly represent the opinions of the authors and do not represent the ofﬁcial opinion of the newspaper.

reputation for producing quality children’s entertainment. Wouldn’t it make sense to teach children about the other side of the relationship spectrum? The sad truth is that in Disney films, anything other than heterosexual relationships are considered unusual and unexpected and as something in need of an explanation. So here parents are with 5year-olds who expect to be entertained. The parents are hoping to get a moment to themselves, so they pop in a G-rated Disney movie, thinking it is perfect for children’s eyes. Perfect because it creates a guideline for a supposedly normal life. Perfect because it has the ability to make kids who feel a little different or who may have a developing idea of their sexual identity feel isolated. Perfect because in 90-minute increments, Disney is defining the “normal” path for these children to follow in life.

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Broadside

Opinion

Man on the Street What are you doing for Spring Break?

Anthony Travieso, freshman, economics “I’m from Miami, so I live where you vacation. However, in Washington, I work for Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Aﬀairs, and we help people attain citizenship to the United States. Over spring break, I will be watching the naturalization ceremony, and I encourage everyone to see it once in their life.”

BriAnna Bendy, sophomore, social work “I am going on a trip to Florida with Cru.”

Peter Clem, sophomore, communication “I am going home and visiting old friends from high school at ODU. But, if we play them in the tournament and they beat us in the ﬁnals, then I probably won’t go to ODU.”

Sarah Harvard, freshman, government and pre-med “For spring break I am going to Morocco. I got an internship through Al-Jazeera to cover the major political party there.”

Snookinomics Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi Embodies the Virtues of Free-Market Capitalism

Madeline Eldridge

Columnist Imagine a person who embodies all the virtues of freemarket capitalism. I’m guessing Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi is at the bottom of your list. Snooki is a great example of the relationship between wages and productivity, which is one of the tightest statistical correlations in the social sciences. You might not like the fact that Snooki gets paid millions of dollars to get drunk and make imprudent decisions. However, if she weren’t incredibly productive, MTV wouldn’t be paying her a dime. MTV doesn’t pay Snooki millions as an expression of altruism. It pays her millions because she produces droves of a good for which consumer demand

is exceptionally high: entertainment. Snooki has generated more economic activity over the past few years than many of us will in an entire lifetime. Consider how many people are employed as a direct result of the immense popularity of “Jersey Shore” — directors, producers, cameramen, film editors and publicists, not to mention all of the people working for companies whose products Snooki endorses. This is to say nothing of Viacom’s shareholders, who saw the company’s domestic ad revenues go up by eight percent in 2010, thanks in part to the success of “Jersey Shore.” In a free-market society, people are paid to produce things other people want. Like it or not, people voluntarily engage in market transactions with Snooki every time they tune in to “Jersey Shore.” As long as they continue to do so, her productive labor will be worth every last penny she earns. Another economic lesson we can learn from Snooki is that free markets create wealth. With the

advent of capitalism approximately 200 years ago, living standards in societies that adopted free markets started to skyrocket. For example, today’s average American lives on about $131 a day. This means that over the past two centuries, the average American’s standard of living has increased by more than 13,000 percent. “For 99.7 percent of the time that we bipedal, scantily haired, language-blessed apes have trod this globe, we did so under material conditions that you and I from 2011 would find utterly intolerable,” George Mason University economist Donald Boudreaux said. Thanks to free-market capitalism, however, we bipedal, scantily haired, language-blessed apes are now able to enjoy a level of material well-being our ancestors could scarcely have imagined. Through the division of labor and technological innovation, capitalism has increased economic efficiency and generated a tremendous amount of real wealth. As a result, we can afford to divert resources toward the production of

relatively frivolous consumer goods like reality television shows. Love her or hate her, Snooki is a luxury good that nobody would have been able to afford prior to the rise of free markets. Furthermore, while our ancestors spent the majority of their days engaging in subsistence labor activities, such as hunting and gathering, people today spend large portions of their days engaging in leisure activities. Thanks to capitalism, many of us no longer have to spend our days toiling in the woods. Consequently, we can afford to divert our most scarce resource of all — time — toward leisure, be it in the form of basketball, music, books or “Jersey Shore.” Snooki is evidence that we live in a prosperous society in which government protects the rights of individuals to own and trade private property. As crazy as it may sound, we are incredibly lucky to live in a society where Snooki’s success is possible because this means we are living in a society that is both rich and free.

Monday, March 5, 2012 | 8

Humiliating the Film Industry The Worst Actors of Our Generation Continue to Hit the Big Screen I n cinema t o d a y, there a r e s o m e spectacular actors. Columnist T h e y light up the screen and always put on terrific performances. This article is not about them. This article is about the scum of the screen. It’s about the worst actors of our generation. It’s about those actors who can singlehandedly ruin a movie. Let’s count them down, shall we? Number five: Keanu Reeves. There are a couple reasons Keanu Reeves does not rank higher on this list. The first is that all the other actors are just worse than he is. The second is “The Matrix” — just “The Matrix,” — not the “Matrix Reloaded,” “Matrix Revolutions” or “Enter the Matrix.” And definitely not “Consantine,” “Speed” or “Something’s Gotta Give.” Other than “The Matrix,” Keanu has produced, at best, mediocre films with poor plot lines and bad acting. Not to mention he looks like a homeless person 90 percent of the time. Number four: Paul Walker. Let’s talk about the “The Fast and the Furious” movies for a hot second. I’ll go ahead and say it: those movies are straight up amazing. Like, incredible. I love those movies, all five of them. They’re so good. They are wildly entertaining and a 100 percent joy ride. Regardless, Paul Walker is an awful actor. I’m not going to say he ruins “The Fast and the Furious” films, but he kind of does. A pall is cast over them by his poor acting skills. Actually, let’s be real — nothing could ruin those movies, not even Paul Walker. They’re just too good. Also he was decent in the “Takers.” But otherwise he sucks. Number three: Adam Sandler. The sole reason that Adam Sandler is number three and not number two is that, before 2006, he actually produced a lot of good films: “Eight Crazy Nights,” “Big Daddy” and “The Waterboy.” They’re all great movies. But I’m talking about Adam Sandler post-2006, which was when Clara Everett

he went straight downhill. Let’s count. “You Don’t Mess With the Zohan,” “Bedtime Stories,” “Grown Ups,” “Just Go With It,” “Zookeeper”and “Jack and Jill.” That’s six right off the top of my head, and I know there are several more I can’t think of. These movies are what I like to call, in a word, atrocious. I mean, they are so bad. In the way that “The Fast and the Furious” films are terrific, those Adam Sandler films are just awful. The time has come for him to pull in the reins and stop cursing the planet with terrible movies. Number two: Brendan Fraser. Dear God. You know how I talked about some of the redeeming qualities with the aforementioned actors? Yeah, Brendan Fraser has none. “The Mummy” films are some of the worst movies to hit the earth, ever. Not to mention “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” His films are painful to watch and have few-to-no good points. He has this ability to take a movie with potential and kill it. There is not much else to say about him. He’s just bad. Number one: Nicolas Cage. I could go on forever about this guy, but I’ll try to keep it brief. I just want to put this out there, though: He is horrid. Although he used to star in good, even great, movies, his time is over. “National Treasure,” “Con Air” and “The Rock” were all fantastic, but that ship has sailed. Now his poor acting overshadows any previous good acting he may have done. “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” “Season of the Witch” and both “Ghost Rider” films (I still can’t believe they made two of those) are all a disgrace to ccinema. He should be ashamed of himself. He is hands down the worst actor that our generation has ever witnessed, and it would almost be a kindness to just put him in an institution. He is appalling on every level. All five of these gentlemen have a magical capability of embarrassing any movie they are in. They are a humiliation to the film industry. You may see fit to shuffle them around a little, and that’s fine. But don’t you dare remove Nicolas Cage from that top spot. Especially after his second “Ghost Rider” film — he deserves it.

Broadside wishes you a happy spring break!

Broadside

10 |

Sports

The number of men’s basketball players who have been named CAA player of the year

Monday, March 5, 2012

He’s Got Spirit Alumnus Father Peter Keeps His Faith in Mason Basketball

Campus Faces

Photo by Stephen Kline

Broadside Sits Down With Mason Basketball Super Fans, the “G-Men” Colleen Wilson Asst. Sports Editor Photo by: Jake McLernon

Father Peter Nassetta (left, in the hat and glasses) poses with students and President Alan Merten after the Homecoming basketball game. A Mason alum, Father Peter is now the chaplain of the Catholic Campus Ministry.

Cody Norman Managing Editor Pacing back and forth atop the bleachers in the old Physical Education Building — now known as the RAC —, Peter Nassetta was the original “Super Fan” of Mason basketball. “I was the Patriot Platoon,” Nassetta said. “I was your fan. Screaming, yelling, taunting the other team and yelling at the referees — I did all of that.” Nassetta, now the chaplain of George Mason University’s Catholic Campus Ministry, graduated in 1982 with a major in business management from a small commuter school in Fairfax where the student apartments were the only residence hall available to students. He was involved in politics, but a personal experience during his senior year encouraged him to reconsider his priorities. “I had to reevaluate things,” Nassetta said. “My faith then be-

came the center of my life.” After getting involved with the Youth Apostles, a group that reaches out to young people and invites them to a life of truth, freedom and care, Nassetta began feeling that the Lord was guiding him into the chapel. “When you start thinking that maybe you’re supposed to be a priest, you start thinking, ‘I think you’re confused, God. You’ve got the wrong guy,’” Nassetta said. “But God is persistent and He is patient. Eventually, it became really clear.” During his ﬁve years in Catholic parishes, Nassetta found it diﬃcult to follow Mason basketball. Because The Washington Post would not cover the team and the Internet was not in full force, he was forced to get the majority of his information from an athletic trainer at Old Dominion University. Shortly after his departure from the parishes, Nassetta was

appointed the chaplain of Marymount University in Arlington. Six short years later, Nassetta was given the opportunity to join his alma mater and serve as the Catholic chaplain for the university. “To be able to return to our alma mater — even though it’s barely recognizable — is just a blessing,” Nassetta said. Since returning to Mason in 2000, Nassetta has become involved in athletics and is a regular attendee at most events. Following his lead, his students have become a signiﬁcance presence at sporting events — especially at basketball games. He encourages students in CCM to get involved within campus life and live in the world. “I’m not trying to create a Catholic ghetto,” Nassetta said. “We just try to provide people with opportunities to show their faith while giving them a place where they can grow in their faith.”

With the arrival of Doc Nix after the 2006 season, Nassetta began dressing up and emulating the attire of the program’s unique band director, even purchasing a pair of large gold glasses that he said are “Doc Nix-approved.” “As much as you try, you can never really be Doc Nix though,” he said. “He is one of a kind.” Just as he has done for several years, Nassetta jumped out of his seat with less than eight minutes remaining in the game against Georgia State. He turned to face the wave of green and gold behind him and pump up the crowd as Doc Nix and the Green Machine belted their staple rendition of “Livin’ on a Prayer.” “Not only is it our theme song as a university, but it obviously ties in to campus ministry,” Nassetta said. “We’re always living on a prayer.”

1. What was your favorite Mason basketball moment

of all time? 2006 NCAA Final Four. It was a magical time for us all. 2. Have you always been basketball fans? Definitely. Although we all find common ground for college ball with Mason, we do support separate teams for the NBA. As long as there are hoops, slam dunks and refs making bad calls, we're into it. 3. How did you become the G-Men? It was a calling. All of us felt the need to boldly go where no Mason Patriot fan had ever gone before. With the G-Men, we're more of ourselves than we are ever outside of the suits. 4. Are the suits comfortable? For the most part. They do get a little snug around our incredibly large muscular regions, but they are very flexible and stretchable for when we need them most. 5. Who is your favorite player? Why? Ryan Pearson. He's been a big supporter of the G-Men since the beginning, and even follows us on Twitter. Plus, he just snagged player of the year, so with that and the beard, what's not to love? 6. What are your goals as the G-Men? To support Mason in all its endeavors. We make appearances to all sorts of events, especially athletic, and we try our best to get the students and fans psyched about the school. 7. What do you think about VCU? You wouldn't be able to tell, but we give VCU fans mean looks. 8. Are you a fan of any other Mason sports? Definitely. Thus far, apart from basketball, we've only been to a few soccer games. But we support the Patriot athletes all across the board, and are working to expand and make more appearances for all sorts of events.

Section A View from the Platoon 124 Ryan Pearson is Player of the Beard

9. What's your favorite song that the pep band plays? We're big fan's of “Livin' on A Prayer.” It always plays at the games no matter what, and is phenomenal to hear. 10. What has been your favorite Mason basketball moment of this season? So far, we we're amazed the most by the VCU clincher. It was the most amazing shot we've ever seen, and the fact that it was VCU made the victory that much sweeter.

Games of the Week Support Your Favorite Teams at Home Wednesday, March 7:

history as some of the greatest players to wear the green and Patriot Platoon Member gold. Mason fans always talk He did it! After a full season about how we should see numof anticipation Ryan Pearson has bers hanging from the rafters in ﬁnally won the CAA Player of the the Patriot Center. However, we Year award. He joined elite don’t quite know how to pick Mason alumni Carlos Yates, which players’ numbers should Kenny Sanders and three-time be retired. winner George Evans. Well here’s a thought for Yates is the all-time scoring you: How about starting with the leader in Mason history, while four guys to win Player of the Sanders sits right behind him in Year? second place. Evans won the If we’re not going to retire award three years in a row. There anyone else’s number, at least put has only been one other CAA those four numbers up there. player to ever do that. One of the There isn’t a better way to honor greatest NBA players in history, the commitment, success and David Robinson, is the other. dedication of an athlete than reYes, his alma mater Navy tiring his jersey. used to be in the CAA. These four In fact, it would look pretty Mason players will go down in cool hanging right next to that

Daniel Zimmet

Final Four banner. There is no need to be worried that Mason only picked up one award this season. It is the most important and highly acclaimed award. On the All-CAA First Team, Pearson is joined by Kent Bazemore, Bradford Burgess, Frantz Massenat and Keith Rendleman. Aside from Rendleman, all of the teams that have members of the ﬁrst team received ﬁrstround byes in the CAA Tournament. Massenat was the closest to beating out Pearson. He received 14 out of 48 votes, while Pearson received 28. Winning Player of the Year goes far beyond the stat lines. Pearson averaged 17.6 points and 8.5 rebounds in his memorable senior season. However, it’s the

eﬀect a player has on his team that makes him a Player of the Year. To see if you have a candidate on your hands, remove a player who you think should be given the award from his respective team. If it seems like the team would then fall apart, that’s what qualiﬁes him as Player of the Year. Without Pearson on the team this year, we wouldn’t have been nearly as successful as we were. Since the Mason Nation’s support was instrumental in helping Pearson this year, it’s now time to start the campaign for a new Mason player to win the 2013 CAA Player of the Year award.

Baseball vs. Temple @ 2:30 p.m.

Friday, March 9: Softball vs. Hartford @ 4:30 p.m. Baseball vs. Hofstra @ 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 10: (W) Lacrosse vs. Albany @ 1 p.m. Softball vs. Hartfod @ 2:15 p.m. Softball vs. Cornell @ 4:30 p.m. Baseball vs. Hofstra @ 2 p.m.

Sunday, March 11: Softball vs. Hartford @ 11:15 a.m. Baseball vs. Hofstra @ 1 p.m. Softball vs. Cornell @ 1:30 p.m.

Broadside

Sports

CAA Player of the Week Senior Third Baseman Brig Tison Recognized

Colleen Wilson Asst. Sports Editor After the Baseball at the Beach tournament in South Carolina during the last weekend of February, senior third baseman John “Brig” Tison was named CAA Player of the Week. Tison recorded nine hits in 18 at-bats, drove in ﬁve runs, scored four and stole three bases. Defensively, he had two putouts, eight assists and one error. Tison leads the team in multiple statistical categories, with a .448 batting average, .500 on-base percentage, six runs scored, 13 hits, two doubles, three walks and four stolen bases. “Individual awards are nice to get, but I was more concerned that our team was headed in the direction that we wanted to go,” Tison

said.

Tison started playing baseball when he was 4 years old, working with his father to build his skills. “I played at a really good baseball high school — James Madison in Vienna,” Tison said. “I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue playing through college.” Tison’s decision to play college ball has beneﬁted him in multiple ways. “I had kind of gotten worn down. But when Mason oﬀered me a spot on the team, it all worked out. I’m close to home, and my parents are at every game.” Being a student athlete has been a positive experience for Tison, who says it has kept him motivated. “We are really busy. We play a lot of games,” Tison said. “You have to get your work done if you

Monday, March 5, 2012 | 11

Moves Like Mason Green Machine Wubs Maroon Five

want to play. I’m not too worried about a social life. I spend most of my time with the team.” After losing several players to graduation and drafts, the young Patriots team ﬁnished at the bottom of the CAA last season. This year, the team is determined to work their way back up to the top. “Our strength as a team is how badly we want to win,” Tison said. “We took last year as embarrassing, and we want to change that legacy.” The team will face their biggest rivals, JMU and UNC Wilmington, in April and May, respectively. Tison is hoping for fan support to carry the team through the season. “I understand it’s hard to keep up and baseball is slow, but I think we have a chance to be really good this year,” Tison said.

Baseball Season Recap 02.17 Appalachian State 2-1 (W) 02.18 Elon 1-4 (L) 02.18 Elon 3-4 (L) 02.24 N.C. State 5-5 (L) 02.25 Iowa 12-3 (W) 02.25 Virginia Tech 7-1 (W) 02.26 West Virginia 1-0 (W) 03.02 Bryant 1-0 (W) 03.03 Bryant 6-8 (L) Photo by Stephen Kline

Senior third baseman Brig Tison was awarded CAA player of the year after a successful weekend at the Baseball at the Beach Tournament.

03.04 Bryant 12-3 (W)

Photo by Stephen Kline

Doc Nix and the Green Machine performed with bands from seven other CAA teams during the CAA Tournament weekend in Richmond. The pep band performed their own unique rendition of the pop hit “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon 5.

Cody Norman Managing Editor The Green Machine has “Moves Like Jagger.” No, seriously. During Saturday morning’s Breakfast With the Bands event, Doc Nix and the Green Machine opened with Maroon 5’s 2011 single “Moves Like Jagger.” Mixing dubstep into their nontraditional pep-band format, the Green and Gold rocked the show with an incredible performance. Members of the pep band are a medley of under-

graduate students, graduate students, and community members. The high-energy pep band uses amps, singers and electric violas in its original mash-ups and interpretations of popular music.In 2008 and 2009, the Green Machine was named the Best Pep Band of the Year by CAAZone.com. A YouTube video featuring the Green Machine practicing a Rage Against the Machine song has received aproximately 1.7 million views to date, helping catapult the band to fame. Bands from across the CAA including Towson, Northeast-

ern, VCU, Old Dominion, Mason, William & Mary and Georgia State were all represented at the event, bringing tunes like “Party Rock Anthem,” “Cupid Shuﬄe” and “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)” to the Richmond Convention Center. All seven bands gathered together to perform the ﬁnal tune “One Nation Under a Groove” by Funkadelic. The bands rehearsed the tune, which Doc Nix said took him about a week to write and put together just one time before their group performance. And they nailed it.

Broadside

12 | Monday, March 5, 2012

Sports

Mason Victorious Over Georgia State Allen Lifts Patriots to Semi-Finals Against VCU

Photos by: Stephen Kline

(Left) Sherrod Wright scores against Georgia State during the CAA tournament in Richmond. (Above) Mike Morrison hangs his head in frustration during the VCU game on Sunday evening. Mason lost 76-64 to VCU.

BASKETBALL, From Front “But part of that falls on Ryan, too.” After a few missed shots and unfortunate breaks, the Patriots were forced to play against the clock and couldn’t muster a final run to seal an impressive comeback victory, dropping their semifinal game by a final score of 74-64. “I’m very proud of the way these guys fought back,” Hewitt said. “Give them credit for that.” With the victory, VCU advances to the championship game where they will take on the regular season champions, the Drexel Dragons, at 7 p.m. in Richmond. Georgia State With just 18 seconds remaining in Saturday night’s CAA quarterfinal game, and only three seconds separating the shot clock and game clock,

Bryon Allen patiently dribbled the ball near midcourt. Moving to his strong hand, Allen rubbed shoulders with Sherrod Wright and Jonathan Arledge before turning the corner and making his way into the paint. With 3.4 seconds left, Allen switched the ball from his right to his left hand, spinning the ball off the backboard, and splashed home the go-ahead bucket. Just like they drew it up. “I saw the shot clock was down to five, so I knew I had to get it on the rim,” Allen said. “Fortunately, it went in.” With Mike Morrison and Ryan Pearson both planted on the bench after fouling out late in the second half, Allen took the game into his own hands in the final minute and carried the load for the Patriots. “In the last minute, it was just all underclassmen on the floor,” Allen said. “We needed everyone to step up and lead as a

end and the defensive end. When he’s on the ﬂoor, it does a lot for the guys defensively. I’ve been around a long time, but he’s as good as I’ve been around.” Wright and Vertrail Vaughns took over the game in stretches, scoring in bunches and contributing a steady 10 and nine points, respectively. The guard tandem played exceptional defense in the second half, not allowing the Georgia State guards to penetrate and, in turn, fueling Mason’s second-half comeback. Following this emotional victory, the Patriots prepared to take on rival VCU for the third time this season. “We get the matchup we were looking for again,” Morrison said. “It’s a neutral ﬂoor here, so we’re looking to correct our mistakes and get this win on the road to a CAA Championship — hopefully.”

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unit, so I just wanted to lead.” In his first game since being named the CAA Player of the Year, Pearson struggled to get himself going during the game. Spending the majority of the night in foul trouble, Pearson never established a rhythm and scored just four points before being disqualified with about two minutes remaining. With Pearson struggling, Morrison put the Patriots on his back and carried them through the first 39 minutes of the ballgame. His physical and emotional leadership rallied the troops, while his 12-point, seven-rebound effort kept Mason within striking distance all night. The 6-foot-9 senior swatted four shots as he turned in the most impressive performance of the night for coach Paul Hewitt. “I think [Morrison] is one of the best defensive players in this league,” Hewitt said. “You can’t undersell how smart he is. He is a very, very smart basketball [player], both on the offensive

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