Jan. 31 issue

Grab your green sequined kicks and get ready, because Mason’s Homecoming festivities start today!

See this week’s style section for a sneak peak at this year’s celebration.

There’s no place like Mason, there’s no place like Mason, there’s no place like Mason...

Pg. 4

George Mason University’s Student Newspaper Volume 87 Issue 13

www.broadsideonline.com

January 31, 2011

BOV signs off on room and board rate hike New rates 4.46 percent higher than 2010 - 2011 Gregory Connolly News editor The George Mason University Board of Visitors decided at their meeting Wednesday to raise

room and board rates by 4.46 percent for the 2011-2012 academic year.

The rate hike must first be approved by the Virginia State Board of Education.

According to the finance and

land use agenda for the BOV meeting, proposed board rates will increase between $100 and $200, with the majority of the rate increase being approximately four percent. The expected increase for most returning students who live

on campus will be $400, or 4.46 percent according to the agenda.

The increased rates are due to the higher cost of operating the facilities and to support residential communities, according to a Mason Gazette article. The article

stated that the actual cost for students will vary depending on where they live and what meal plan they select.

“George Mason University has historically (over the past 10 years) had one of the smallest

Kiplinger’s names Mason a top value Ranked 61st for in-state students, 90th for out-of-state Emily Sharrer Editor-in-Chief George Mason University was included in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine’s national top 100 “Best Values in Public Colleges” for 2010-2011.

Mason rose three spots from last year, ranking 61st for instate students and 90th for outof-state students.

“We were just gratified to be recognized and we take maintaining the quality of our institution very seriously,” said Dan Walsch, university spokesman. “We try to be sensitive to keeping our institution as accessible as possible, while at the same time maintaining the highest level of quality that

we can.”

According to the magazine, rankings are determined based on academic quality and affordability. Kiplinger’s starts by narrowing down a list of more than 500 public schools based on academic criterion such as SAT and ACT scores, admission and retention rates, student-faculty ratios, and four and six-year graduation rates.

Mason’s Past Rankings (in state) 2009-2010: 64th 2008-2009: 46th 2007-2008: 77th

See KIPLINGER’S, Page 3

Mason gun ban here to stay Virginia Supreme Court upholds ban on firearms inside Mason facilities Antonieta Rico Crime Beat Reporter The Virginia Supreme Court upheld the George Mason University weapon’s policy banning guns inside Mason facilities and at university events on Jan. 13. The decison was reached after the ban was challenged in court by a visitor to the university.

Mason regulation bans the possession of weapons in campus buildings and at Mason sporting, entertainment or educational events, by anyone except police officers.

“Visitors are prohibited from bringing a weapon into our facilities,” said Christine LaPaille, vice president for university relations.

Rudolph DiGiacinto, who filed the lawsuit against Mason, said the regulation violated his constitutional rights under the Virginia Constitution and the U.S. Constitution.

DiGiacinto is not a student or employee at Mason, but described himself as a user of the Mason libraries and in court documents said he has the right to carry an unconcealed handgun on the Mason campuses and in its facilities.

“I frequented the Fenwick Library and the Arlington law school library for legal research,” DiGiacinto said in an e-mail.

DiGiacinto is the founder

of Virginia1774.org, which states that it is “the legal research and information site on the right to a well regulated militia and the right to keep and bear arms in Virginia.” DiGiacinto said he used documents from Mason library resources to help in his research for the website and to help him file a “friend of the court brief” during the District of Columbia v. Heller case. This case ruled that the district’s ban on handguns in private homes was unconstitutional.

However the Virginia Supreme Court sided with Mason, saying in its ruling that the Mason regulation did not violate the Virginia Constitution, or the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

DiGiacinto maintains that the Virginia Supreme Court was wrong regarding the rights granted in the Virginia Constitution. “the Court … decided to subvert the Virginia Constitution to the United States Constitution when the Virginia Constitution predates the U.S. Constitution,” DiGiacinto said in the e-mail.

However, LaPaille defended the Mason regulation.

“I think the board acted wisely in extending the same prohibitions to visitors to our campus that we have to abide by, as employees and students,” LaPaille said. “We need to keep our buildings safe.”

College application 2.0 Video essays offer prospective students creative way to apply Gregory Connolly News Editor With the proliferation of technology, it’s no surprise that George Mason University is in its second year of accepting video essay applications.

Dean of Admissions Andrew Flagel said the video applications were the result of prospective students who had expressed the desire to have a more personal stake in the application process.

“Many years ago Mason would interview all of our applicants,” said Flagel.

“Sometime around 2000 or 2001, as Mason’s national reputation started to catch fire, the rate of applications got so large that it was no longer time or cost-ef-

fective to interview every applicant.”

Flagel said the ubiquity of YouTube made it possible for Mason to accept video applications without having to invest in third party software.

“We picked YouTube because it’s already readily available to students,” Flagel said. “A YouTube channel allows you to have control over the information flow.

There weren’t really an advantages to building something ourselves or to hiring an external company when the tools were available for free.”

During the application process, applicants are asked if they would like to submit a video application. The applications, which are typically two to three minutes in length, do not negate the need

room and board increases within the Commonwealth of Virginia,” according to the agenda.

See RATE HIKE, Page 3

for a written essay. He said some videos have gone as long as five to seven minutes.

“I would do a video essay,” said freshman theater major Reem Shalhoub.

“Telling a story instead of writing is more creative. Sometimes in writing, you mean one thing but people who read it might not know what you mean. In a video you can say exactly what you mean.”

Still, video might not work so well for everyone.

“I’m awkward on video,” said sophomore athletic training major Allyson Nagle. “I wouldn’t know what to say. It would be strange.”

“There are some students that have done lengthy video essays and have written very little in the written essay,” Flagel said.

“There’s a perception that the video essay is a terribly important part of the application process, but the most important part of the decision is based on academic records,” Flagel said. “Essays, recommendations, extra-curricular activities are what we call non-cognitive pieces of the application. They’re important, but they’re far less important than a student’s academic record.”

Flagel said there are some other universities that incorporate the video essay into the application process, though most do not.

“From our standpoint, the first year went very well,” Flagel said. “It allowed us to offer an element of personalization to the process at no cost to the institution.

Because it’s so embedded in the process, it made it very easy for us to review those essays as part of the application review.”

Flagel said student feedback has been positive.

“We received very few video applications,” Flagel said, “maybe a couple hundred out of 17,000 freshman applications last year.”

Flagel said the use of video in the application process will continue to grow as technology becomes more prevalent, but that there is a comfort level with the written essay for many students.

“The video essay, for the time being, is so different from what most universities are doing,” Flagel said.

Selected application videos can be found at videos.masonmetro.com.

SNOW DAY Students from all over campus used crea vity and the free me because of cancelled classes to create snow sculptures around campus.

Mason graduate Andy Norton slides down a snow slide in the north plaza.

Photo By Peter Flint

Photo By Peter Flint

Photo By Peter Flint

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News Event Calendar Monday, Jan. 31 Homecoming 2011: The Magic of Mason Pep Rally Johnson Center, Atrium Noon - 1 p.m.

Vision Speaker Series: Rebecca Goldin Concert Hall 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 1 Staff Senate Meeting Johnson center Room 311D 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Homecoming 2011: If I Only Had Some Talent Student Union Building II, Ballroom 8 - 10 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 2 Generation HOT and the New Era of Global Warming Mason Hall, Edwin Meese III Conference Room 11 a.m.

Homecoming 2011: We’re Not In Can-sas Anymore North Plaza Noon - 2 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 3 Homecoming 2011: Lollipop Guild Johnson Center, Media Room Noon - 2 p.m.

A Crash Course on Achieving the Dream Johnson Center, Room B 7 - 10 p.m.

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

Jan. 25

Jan. 24

POLICE FILES Grand Larceny Blue Ridge Complainant stated that person(s) unknown removed video games from his room. (37/Radfar) Hit and Run Lot C Vehicle two was parked in lot C when it was struck by vehicle one which fled the scene. Estimated damage is $1200.00. (27/Feliciano) Trespass warning issued Peidmont Hall A GMU employee was issued a trespass warning after he was terminated from his job. (31/Johnson) Grand Larceny Lincoln Hall Complainant stated that person(s) unknown removed his xbox game system from his room. (37/Radfar)

Jan. 26

Medical Assist Johnson Center A GMU student was transported to Access after falling in the snow and breaking a wrist. (20/Brudvig).

Simple Assault Monroe Hall A GMU student suffered a laceration above the eye after being struck by a thrown cell phone. Warrant service pending. (36/Gannon).

Jan. 27

Destruction of Property Truman Hall Andrew D. Rutherford (18 year old GMU Student) from Fairfax, Virginia was arrested for the following charges: Destruction of GMU Property Property, Drunk in Public, Resisting Arrest, Underage Possession of Alcohol. (55/B. Higgins).

State Vehicle Accident Lot A A GMU snow plow backed into a parked vehicle.

Damaged estimated at $1500.00. (49/Broughton).

Warrant Service Eisenhower Desk Mr. James O’Donnell (GMU) 20 yrs. of McLean Va. Was arrested for assault and battery. He was transported to Fairfax County ADC.

Police Files are taken verbatim from www.gmu.edu/police.

Broadside does not make any changes to public records.

Broadside The number of cell phone service providers whose customers will be able to use Blackboard mobile.

1 Monday, January 31, 2011

Coming soon: Blackboard mobile App will be available fall semester, only for Sprint customers Nathan Dorfman Broadside Correspondent Coming soon to a smart phone near you: Blackboard Mobile.

The app will be available next semester, said Benjamin Ness, administrator of George Mason University’s Blackboard Learning Management System, emphasizing that nothing is set in stone.

According to Blackboard’s corporate website, Blackboard Mobile will give students and faculty “everything they need right on the mobile devices they already rely on.”

Although many students and professors are unaware of Blackboard Mobile, they are excited when the possibility is mentioned.

“I am not aware of the app,” said Anthony Hoefer, director of the University Scholars Program at Mason, who currently does not own a smart phone. “If the app can help me take attendance, it would be ideal.”

Hoefer also said he recently struggled with a scanner to obtain a clear, readable PDF

and that an existing app can enable him to photograph a page and immediately convert it into a PDF file. When Blackboard Mobile is released, professors can take pictures with their phone and instantly upload them to Blackboard.

Students also seem enthusiastic about the prospect of having greater access to the learning software.

“I had no idea, but that would be awesome,” said Alex Murdocca, a sophomore government and international politics major. “Blackboard would be easy to access on my phone.”

“With the app, you can access Blackboard even if the Internet is down,” said Megan Speight, a sophomore communication major.

LGBTQ mentoring program looks to recruit Program enters second semester Gregory Connolly News Editor The George Mason University Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Questioning Mentoring Program is in its second semester and will soon begin recruiting mentors and mentees for the spring semester.

“We wanted to put together some kind of system where newly arriving LGBTQ students would have an easier time learning the ropes of what Mason is like and specifically what Mason can be like for LGBTQ students,” said Ric Chollar, associate director of LGBTQ Resources.

Chollar said some universities match students with faculty, some with alumni, but that it was decided a student-student approach was best for Mason.

“The basic objective we have is helping incoming students be successful here at Mason and doing that through having at least one key person they can turn to to show them the ropes, to ask questions, to be the safe person that they can get information from,” Chollar said.

Chollar said the mentoring program is still small, and that there are 12 to 14 people in the mentoring community, or, five pairs of mentors and mentees. The goal is to double the number of people in the program with each semester.

“I think the program has gone really well,” said Kristen Lucas-Stewart, a student intern who serves as a mentor coordinator. “We were very happy to see that we had quite a few matches with mentors and mentees, a lot more than we expected for the first semester. The matches overall are doing

pretty well.”

Chollar said feedback has been positive and that most people who have commented on it say that it is a terrific idea and that there’s a need for a program like this at Mason.

“We’re still working out the kinks and the details about how successful the folks who were in it are feeling,” Chollar said. “We’ve got communitywide events where all the mentoring teems are invited to once-a-month programs where there’s some kind of content presentation that we think will be useful to them.”

Chollar said he encourages people in the program to contact each other at least once a week to keep track of the mentee’s progress. The mentees are typically freshman or transfer students.

“I wouldn’t say the program is an experiment or a test, but we’re trying things out this first year and perhaps revising and retailing it for future years,” Chollar said. “I think that we want to figure out how we can involve interested faculty, staff and alumni, particularly our LGBTQ alumni who have expressed an interest in wanting to be more in touch with our students and available to students.”

“I’m hoping to get a little more in depth with mentors and mentees and to talk more about what they’re doing,” Lucas-Stewart said, “as well as hopefully getting some more mentors and mentees and matching them up.”

Lucas-Stewart said the program was labor-intensive at the beginning, but that things came together nicely.

Anyone interested in the program is encouraged to e-mail lgbgqmentorgmu@gmail.com or to call the LGBTQ Resources Office at 993-2702.

“I will definitely use it,” said Will McConville, a senior government and international politics major. “I don’t access the computer all the time, but I check my phone at least 100 times a day, easily.”

Brittany Wilson, a senior accounting major, became aware of Blackboard Mobile when looking for a way to access course content faster.

“I went into the app store with my iPhone and found Blackboard Mobile accidentally,” Wilson said. “I tried to download it and found it was incompatible with my operating system firmware.”

Still, Wilson is optimistic that Blackboard Mobile will provide instant access to course material when the laptop is out of reach.

The app will only be available to Sprint users.

Child Development Center receives irrigation system System is a gift from parent of child at center Gregory Connolly News Editor The installation of a rainwater harvesting and irrigation system in the Child Development Center’s garden began on Monday.

Dorothea Tyree, head teacher in the Teddy Bear Classroom, is the caretaker of the garden where the irrigation system is being installed.

“The big thing is sustainability,” Tyree said. “[The irrigation system] will teach the kids a lot about using the water and not wasting it.”

According to Tyree, the system is a gift from a parent of a child at the center and is worth over $7,000. It will feature two 500 gallon tanks that will filter rainwater. Pipes will run underground to each bed and the children will be able to watch the plants get watered.

Each classroom has its own bed to plant, each with a different theme related to the curriculum.

The system will also include a timer so plants can be watered on weekends.

The garden was created last year with money from Greenworks, after Dan Waxman, Project Manager for Auxiliary Enterprises, wrote a grant to the organization.

“We were able to build a learning laboratory for the children of the Childhood Development Center and provide great service-learning opportunities as well for college students,” Waxman said.

Tyree said tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins, zucchini and basil were grown during the garden’s first season last year.

“We’re going to have a grand opening on April 27,” Tyree said. She said the opening will commemorate the first plants of the second season.

Mason Alert now only delivers emergency messages Evaluation prompts changes to the emergency notification system Emily Sharrer Editor-in-Chief Recent changes to George Mason University’s Mason Alert system have put Mason closer to the norm for emergency notification on college campuses according to Dave Farris, director of emergency preparedness and response.

Following an evaluation of the system by the Environmental Health and Safety Office, now Mason Alert will only be utilized in the case of an emergency and to distribute messages regarding public health and safety to subscribers.

Before the update to the system, which took effect on Jan. 24, Mason Alert users had the option

to receive alerts about Mason events, CNN breaking news, Information Technology Unit messages, county traffic alerts, Metro train delays, shuttle system announcements and county traffic alerts. Farris says using the system only for critical updates will increase its effectiveness for users.

“What we really want people to become accustomed to is when they receive a Mason Alert, know that it is in fact a very important message and they need to look at that message,” said Farris. “That’s unfortunate because there were a lot of good things Mason Alert was doing in the past, but it wasn’t doing it’s job the way it was intended to do, which was distribute text messages in the event of an emergency.”

The evaluation looked at how frequently Mason Alert was sending messages, how much it was costing time wise to maintain, gaps in the system, user friendliness and how other universities used their emergency notification systems.

“It was requiring a lot of maintenance on our side, which isn’t cost effective, and creating a lot of confusion on the user side,” said Farris. “We need to make sure the system is easy for not just my office to manage, but I think it’s going to be much easier for a user to use.”

Farris stressed that Mason Alert is a text-based system, therefore it is best for students to signup to receive text messages rather than relying on e-mail.

Approximately 68,000 people are signed up to receive emails from Mason Alert, which can cause delays in message transmission said Farris.

“Because of the content of an e-mail and the amount of e-mails sent, the distribution of e-mails was slow. Texting is much faster,” said Farris. “Trying to distribute that many messages is going to take time, no matter how efficient your server system is.”

The changes to Mason Alert were approved by the Emergency Management Executive Committee, which consists of senior vice presidents of the University.

If you have questions, comments or concerns about the Mason Alert system, e-mail alert@gmu.edu.

Broadside

News

Monday, January 31, 2011 | 3

Faculty forum to discuss regulation Some faculty concerned about overregulation Gregory Connolly News Editor A task force commissioned by Provost Peter Stearns will take part in an open forum with faculty Tuesday to discuss the implications of administrative regulation and the prospect of overregulation.

“The forum is an open house for faculty to give a list of concerns so the task force can follow up and see what needs to be done,” Stearns said.

The open forum is the first step in the task force’s investigation of overregulation.

“These regulations range from accounting regulations if you have an outside grant, to what you have to do with human subjects for research, to new staff and faculty members training for sexual harassment,” Stearns said. “The list is pretty long.”

Stearns said some members of the faculty have been concerned for the past few years that various George Mason University offices keep imposing new regulations on faculty, causing them to feel restricted. He said some members of the faculty do not feel some of the edicts are needed.

“Many faculty have been concerned with the increased demands on faculty and staff to engage in activities to satisfy external regulations placed on the university (e.g., by federal or accrediting agency requirements),” said Deborah BoehmDavis, chair of the psychology department, in an e-mail. “Although faculty members recognize that the university must comply with these regulations, they are asking that the administration consider the cumulative impact of these requirements.”

Boehm-Davis said the concern with these regulations is that faculty and staff are “being taken away from the primary goals of teaching and doing research with students.”

Photo By Peter Flint

Planned Parenthood fliers are posted around campus with informa on for those in need of answers or aid.

Pregnancy scare? Know your options Many local pregnancy centers have religious leaning For George Mason University women facing an unplanned pregnancy, the green and white fliers posted on bulletin boards throughout campus might seem like the first step in making a decision. The fliers, advertising “Pregnancy Center” in bold letters, offer free and confidential pregnancy testing and resources.

However, if students go to the center they will not be entering a medical facility, but a religious one.

The LifeChoices Resource Center advertised in the fliers is part of Sanctity of Life Ministries, a pro-life Christian organization, which also includes the Fairfax Pregnancy Help Center and the Alexandria Pregnancy Help Center.

One thing students should not expect when they visit the centers, or call them, is a recommendation for an abortion.

“We want to offer life-affirming options,” said Holly Gilbo, campus coordinator for LifeChoices Resource Center, “We are not going to refer for an abortion.”

The religious nature of the LifeChoices Resource Center and other pro-life centers like it, sometimes called “crisis pregnancy centers,” is not evident in their fliers, something that provokes prochoice advocates.

“It’s all about up-front information,” said Joseph Richards, program and communications manager for NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia, a state affiliate of NARAL Pro-Choice America, formerly the National Abortion and Reproduc-

abortion on their website leans toward highlighting the risks and negative impact of an abortion.

Other services advertised in the fliers on campus include sexually transmitted disease testing and referrals, but those services also seem to have a religious leaning as SLM states that they do not refer for contraceptives. Indeed, they discourage their use, said Gilbo. Instead they encourage people not to have sex until they are married, she said.

Some of the issues that the NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia Foundation identified in its investigation involve claims of misinformation about breast cancer and abortion. For example, the LifeChoices Resource Center claims in their website that there is a connection between a “possible higher risk of breast cancer” and abortions, a claim not supported by scientific evidence according to the American Cancer Association.

However, Gilbo said that counseling at LifeChoices Resource Center is focused on their desire to “take care of all involved” including the woman, the unborn baby and the father.

“We genuinely care for college students as individuals,” Gilbo said, “We really are compassionate to a woman and her particular circumstances.”

Student Health Services For a college woman facing an unplanned pregnancy, the first resource she might turn to is Student Health Services at Mason. As of the time this article was written Student Health Services gave a routine referral sheet for unplanned pregnancies to patients

which listed LifeChoices Resource Center as well as several other religion-based crisis pregnancy centers. The sheet also listed a referral to Planned Parenthood.

Celestine Jones, a certified family nurse practitioner with Student Health Services, said the referral sheet is a standard general resource sheet and not meant to direct patients to any particular option regarding their unplanned pregnancy.

Jones said that when a patient facing an unplanned pregnancy walks into Student Health Services, one of their main concerns is to tell the patient their options and offer them resources.

“Our primary goal is to help direct that patient to the resources that they need for whatever choice they are making,” Jones said.

“We don’t advise toward an abortion. We don’t advise away from an abortion,” Jones said. “All of us really work hard to make sure we make that person feel supported in whatever decision they are making.”

Jones said Student Health Services would look into having the unplanned pregnancy informational sheet updated. Student Health Services recently updated the links on their website for unplanned pregnancy referrals.

Student Health Services currently provides referrals in their website to Fairfax County Health Department resources as well as medical clinics such as Planned Parenthood and the Falls Church Healthcare Center and also the religion-based center “A Woman’s Choice,” in Falls Church and the Catholic-run Gabriel Project.

Increased rates to cover higher operating costs RATE HIKE, from front The increased rates are due to the higher cost of operating the facilities and to support residential communities, according to a Mason Gazette article. The article stated that the actual cost for students will vary depending on where they live and what meal plan they select.

“George Mason University

has historically (over the past 10 years) had one of the smallest room and board increases within the Commonwealth of Virginia,” according to the agenda. “These proposed rates are necessary to cover the increased costs of staffing, utilities and rising construction costs.”

A graph featuring all of the proposed changes to room and board rates can be found at

Five other Virginia schools recognized

The BOV decided to approve an international research foundation that will be affiliated with the university. The foundation will help facilitate international research agreements, according to the Mason Gazette article.

There will also be a new department within the Volgenau School of Engineering called the Department of Bioengineering.

the BOV’s website.

Before these changes are implemented, they must be approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

In addition to the housing rate changes, the BOV approved two new degree programs — Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Studies and Executive Master of Science in Management of Secure Information Systems.

KIPLINGER’S, from front Schools are then ranked on cost and financial aid. According to the magazine, academic quality carries more weight than costs.

According to Kiplinger’s, Mason has a 63 percent admission rate, a 16-1 student faculty ratio and an 85 percent freshman retention rate. The total cost for in-state students is $17,804 and $34,568 for out-of-state students, which includes tuition, fees, room and

board and book expenses.

The top three schools on the list were The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, The University of Florida and the University of Virginia, respectively. Other Virginia schools that made the list were The College of William and Mary in fourth place, James Madison University in 19th, Virginia Tech in 24th and University of Mary Washington which ranked 26th.

Free Tickets for Mason Students!

Mark Morris Dance Group Feb. 4, 5 at 8 p.m. $ 22, $36, $44 CH ppd Free Student Tickets Available Now The Vision Series: David Weisburd, speaker Location, Location, Location: Hot Spots of Crime and Crime Prevention Tues., Feb. 8 at 7 p.m.

Free/Ticketed HC Opole, Philharmonic of Poland Wed., Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. $32, $40, $48 HC Sat., Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. $25, $42, $50 CH Free Student Tickets Available Feb. 1 Visual Voices Series: Nancy Lorenz, speaker Fine Art/Refined Craft Thurs., Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Free/Non-ticketed HT

ppd

=Pre-performance Discussion

ff

=Family Friendly

Mason Opera & Orchestra: Gianni Schicchi Feb. 25, 26 at 8 p.m. $ 15 student/senior, $20 adult HT Limited Free Student Tickets Available Feb. 15

Aquila Theatre: Six Characters in Search of an Author Fri., Feb. 11 at 8 p.m. $ 17, $26, $34 CH ppd Free Student Tickets Available Feb. 1

Visual Voices Series: Robert Newman, speaker The Power of Magazine Covers Thurs., Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Free/Non-ticketed HT

ppd ppd

Walnut Street Theatre: The Glass Menagerie Sat., Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. $24, $32, $40 HC Free Student Tickets Available Feb. 15

Capitol Steps Sat., Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. $ 24, $32, $40 HC ppd Limited Free Student Tickets Available Feb. 1 Virginia Opera: The Valkyrie Fri., Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. $44, $72, $86 Sun., Feb. 20 at 2 p.m. $48, $80, $98 CH Limited Free Student Tickets Available Feb. 8 Hot Tuna Blues Sat., Feb. 19 at 8 p.m. $ 22, $36, $44 CH ff ppd Free Student Tickets Available Feb. 8 Mason Symphony Orchestra: All American Concert Mon., Feb. 21 at 8 p.m. $ 10 student/senior, $15 adult CH Limited Free Student Tickets Available Feb. 8

BB=Black Box

CH=Concert Hall

Call 703-993-8888 or visit cfa.gmu.edu/students

ppd

Drumline LIVE Sun., Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. $ 23, $38, $46 CH ff ppd Limited Free Student Tickets Available Feb. 15 Faculty Artist Series: Glenn Smith, composition Sun., Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.

Free/Non-ticketed HT The Vision Series: Spencer Crew, speaker Traveling on the Underground Railroad: Fact and Fiction Mon., Feb. 28 at 7 p.m.

Free/Ticketed CH

HC=Hylton Center

HT=Harris Theater

TS=TheaterSpace OR TH E RF

AR TS

Center for the Arts

DL=de Laski Rm. 3001

ppd

Faculty Artist Series: Peter Haase, violin, Nancy Thomas, viola, and Anna Balakerskaia, piano, Sun., Feb. 27 at 3 p.m. Free/Non-ticketed HT

E

Crime Beat Reporter

tive Rights Action League. NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia Foundation conducted an investigation into 52 Virginia “crisis pregnancy centers,” such as the LifeChoices Resource Center, and reported that they found 35 of the 52 centers they called or visited “shared some degree of medically erroneous information.” The report also stated that advertisements for the centers, such as the fliers on campus, are often misleading about the pro-life intention of the services they provide, as well as the fact that the centers are not medical facilities.

“Everyone should have the right to their own choice, but everyone deserves access to complete, unbiased information,” Richards said.

However, Gilbo said that the center fills a void in options for women facing an unplanned pregnancy; she questions why it’s so easy for a woman to get an abortion, but not so easy for a woman to find the resources she needs if she wants to finish college and still keep her baby. Gilbo said the center provides support and resources that women might need to care for their baby including cribs, clothing, diapers, baby items, and baby food.

Although the LifeChoices center is not a medical facility, they do have a nurse in the staff who can perform an ultrasound on site.

SLM says in a statement of principle on its website that it is “committed to providing its clients with accurate and complete information about both prenatal development and abortion.”

However, the information about

CENT

Antonieta Rico

“I don’t feel that there’s overregulation from the environmental health and safety office,” said Julie Zobel, executive director of the Environmental Health and Safety Office.

“Most of the environmental health and safety policies that we put forth carry through to students to ensure that we’re adequately protecting that population,” Zobel said. “I haven’t yet heard the faculty concerns, so I think we’ll know more after the Feb. 1 forum.”

Stearns said one area that has concerned faculty is the regulation for protection of human subjects.

“If you’re a member of the faculty or a student doing that [type of research], we’ve required extensive review,” Stearns said. “An outside consultant came in and said we weren’t doing it right and were too heavy-handed and were proposing needless amount of regulation, so we’re already scaling back.”

Stearns said he hopes the bulk of the issue is resolved during this semester.

“We agree that down the line we should set up some committee to which regulations are submitted before they’re enacted on faculty,” Stearns said. “We don’t have a group that oversees the whole field. We’ll likely do that as a permanent adjustment.”

Stearns said such a committee would likely come to fruition during the fall semester if there is a favorable sentiment in the faculty. Under this plan, the task force holding the forum will carry out the duties of the proposed committee for this semester.

The forum is open to the public. It will take place at 9 a.m. Tuesday in Dewberry Hall and will be videoconferenced to the Arlington and Prince William campuses.

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The amount of protein (in grams) in one egg

Monday, January 31, 2011

There’s no place like

MASON Photo By Peter Flint

Students cheer on the Patriots at last year’s Homecoming basketball game.

Students and faculty prepare for a week down the yellow-brick road.

Erin Powell Asst. Style Editor Students are gearing up for George Mason University’s annual Homecoming celebration with this year’s theme “There’s No Place Like Mason” inspired by “The Wizard of Oz” – think yellow brick roads, flying monkeys and plenty of Emerald City green.

The events officially begin Monday and culminate on Saturday after the men’s basketball game. There will be plenty of free treats, prizes and competitions to participate in all week long for students and faculty, so get ready to show your Patriot pride!

Some events to look forward to include the Emerald City Comedy Jam, free treats from the Lollipop Guild, a team lip-synching competition, the Oz Fest Homecoming dance

and the Magic of Mason pep rally, which will feature student performances with games and giveaways galore.

Check out 2011 Mason Royalty at the We’re Off to See the Majesty pageant and vote for your favorite competitor. Then be sure to see talents soar during the If I Only Had Some Talent show featuring student performers competing for a cash prize.

Donated non-perishables will be built into elaborate structures by student teams and donated to a local food bank in the annual Can-Struction competition. Who knows?

Maybe a replica of the Emerald City Castle itself will be built.

The Homecoming festivities have always found a way to bring students, alumni, staff, faculty and the community together. One event where all of these groups can converge is on

Saturday at the annual Homecoming Parade, which will feature student organizations, community members, marching bands and more.

After the parade, make your way to the 13th annual Block Party and pick a spot to relax and enjoy the tailgate.

Grab some friends, visit the heated tents, meet some alumni and score some free food.

Before you go back to Kansas, tap your ruby slippers (or emerald sneakers) together and get ready to see the men’s basketball team take on fellow CAA rival Old Dominion for a clash of the powerhouses.

For a complete list of all the Homecoming events, visit homecoming.gmu.edu or check out the Office of Student Involvement.

Homecoming Week Events Magic of Mason Pep Rally Monday noon-1 p.m.

JC Atrium We’re Off to See the Majesty Pageant Monday 8-10 p.m.

JC Dewberry Hall If I Only Had Some Talent Tuesday 8-10 p.m.

SUB II Ballroom Homecoming Parade Saturday 10-11 a.m.

Patriot Circle Homecoming Block Party Saturday 10 a.m. -1 p.m.

Parking Lot A

Photo By Peter Flint

President Alan Merten joins students in 2010 Homecoming fes vi es.

Homecoming Themes Past 2010: Unmasque Your Spirit

2009: No One Has Swagger Like Us

2008: Mason Rocks

2006: I ♥ Mason

2005: Old Skool

2004: Patriot Paradise

A role that scares even the actress Leighton Meester shares her experience playing the villain in the upcoming movie, ‘The Roommate’

Actress Leighton Meester stars in the upcoming thriller “The Roommate.”

Q: After watching yourself in this movie, what kind of an impact did playing Rebecca have on you?

A: This movie is strange for me because I feel that I have a bit of amnesia about it. I can’t say it wasn’t fun.

It was, but it was also intense, I think for everyone. It was really quite a time for me.

I tried to share something in common with her or try to understand her motives and relate to her in some way. It was extremely difficult for me to do that with her starting off because of how she unravels.

From the outside she seems like a really good friend, good person. She’s understanding, she’s artistic, she’s trustworthy but then eventually she

just completely loses that. So I mean during filming, I did my best to maintain and I was really lucky because all I had to do was work on this movie everyday. I didn’t have many other obligations at the time so I got to be really involved and focused, which really was a pleasure.

Some of the things I had to do were really disturbing for me particularly a scene involving a kitchen. It was an intense experience.

Q: What was it like specifically trying to play the villain?

A: [When I saw the movie] I was genuinely scared at points. But it is sort of funny I’m what’s scary in the movie. I’m really proud of it and how it turned out. It’s definitely a ride. It’s got

a lot of levels. It’s sexy and exciting and scary and jarring and disturbing.

Filming it, it was all of that too, it was all those things. I can’t say that I wasn’t at all affected by it. I think it stays with you a bit if you’re terrorizing people all day. Overall it’s exciting.

Q: How did you prepare for your role in “The Roommate”? It’s so psychological; did you do any research into that?

A: I had the chance to speak with different psychiatrists about the disorder and they had all kinds of information. I think it’s a very interesting subject: a woman who sort of loses a grip on reality.

The psychiatrists I spoke to I think were the most helpful. They

would describe in gross detail different cases that they’ve worked on defending their patients who had been convicted of a crime. I’ll spare you those details, but it’s definitely dark in the mind of someone who’s living like this.

It was interesting for me because I have, what I believe is, a firm grip on reality. I’m weird and crazy like anybody else, but this person, she really doesn’t have control of her mind whatsoever and the decisions she makes are not based on rational thinking. So it’s interesting and somewhat uncomfortable at the same time.

See MEESTER, Page 6

Broadside

Style

Monday, January 31, 2011 | 5

The beat Man on the Street goes on

Reality TV What students think of Reality TV

“I watch all the Real Housewives shows, ‘Teen Mom,’ and ‘16 and Pregnant.’ ‘Teen Mom’ makes me feel better about myself in all honesty. It’s not like [reality TV] is affecting other people. It’s a way to make money and entertainment, just like any other TV show.”

Local audiophiles keep record culture spinning in Fairfax Emily Sharrer Editor-in-Chief

like of the Army. “I didn’t make a mistake and then join the Army. I made a mistake by joining the Army. I don’t know, it’s just not for me.”

And it’s true, Herman seems in his element as we chat and he talks music with inquisitive customers and twirls 33s on his hands, lightly touching the needle of the record player down on his next choice – usually something from the ‘70s.

Anything that concerns vinyl culture is his passion, so he doesn’t mind sitting and talking with anybody who shares his infatuation. This is how he learned to appraise records and keep his intake of music knowledge going 45 rpm.

As the only independent record store in Fairfax County, the Xchange has its fair share of regular customers and older record collectors who consider the store a veritable landmark.

“Weirdos,” Herman calls them, but he admires their memories and obscure factoids about music.

The past couple of years, Herman says there has been an evident shift in the Xchange’s customer demographics and purchases. Each year, a larger percentage of the store’s music sales are in records and more and more 20somethings enter the store hunting for vinyl.

According to the most recent Nielsen SoundScan report on 2009 music sales, digital and vinyl sales are on the rise. Last year marked the biggest year for record sales (since 1991 when Nielsen began collecting data), with 2.5 million records sold – a 33 percent increase from 2008.

Nielsen’s

When Tommy Herman, the manager of the Record & Tape Xchange in Fairfax, Va., tries to describe what intrigues him about records, it’s hard for him to find the words to say.

“It’s just so cool. It’s just a really interesting kind of culture. To many people it’s about value, but in a sense it’s just about the whole, I don’t know, something is just so cool about so many different types of things…” He trails off.

But as we sit and chat surrounded by the blood-red walls of the Record & Tape Xchange, The Temptations humming in the background, it’s evident that Herman harbors a passion and knowledge of records that runs every bit as deep as his 3,000-piece vinyl collection.

At the heart of Herman’s obsession is an undying need to be a part of vinyl culture, which, along with digital music, is the only sector of the music market that is gaining in popularity and sales. After a sharp drop-off with the introduction of CDs in the ‘90s and the popularity of MP3s that emerged in the early ‘00s, vinyl is regaining its status as the best way to listen to music.

So despite the stigma that record collecting is an ancient hobby, for the moment, it’s a marketable pastime. Especially for smaller stores like the Record & Tape Xchange, which offers an intimate atmosphere and the sought-after LPs the big box stores like Best Buy don’t.

Located on Main Street, the Record & Tape Xchange is a haven for record-heads, new and old Herman on the job at the Record & Tape Exchange alike, who come in often to peruse thousands of cardboard clad pieces of music history. The Xchange is a curious, chaotic collection of posters and arcane memorabilia looming over a cluster of record bins – sorted first by new arrivals and reissues and then more generally by genre and artist. A wild-eyed Robert Smith glares down from a framed Cure poster toward the dollar bin where poorer quality records and random titles are neatly kept. At the back of the store, an oversized copy of “The Velvet Underground & Nico” accents one dusty corner, and up front, Herman is stenciling bin placeholders. 2008 report also showed a whopping 89 percent He is perched on a wooden stool as “Lola” increase in vinyl sales since 2007, attributing the

by The Kinks blares throughout the store. “It’s growth to indie artists and the resurgence in one of the last records that was good from this popularity of older bands like The Beatles and band,” says Herman, flipping over a white label Bob Dylan. promo copy of “Lola Versus Powerman and the “Because all of those [artists] were put out Money-go-round, Part One,” as he speaks. on vinyl originally, if you want to listen to HenFor four years, records have been Herman’s drix, why not listen to Hendrix on a record passion, and for four years he’s spent more than player?” said Herman. his fair share on collectables: many still sealed According to the Nielsen report, two out of with the manufacturer’s kiss, and even some that every three vinyl albums were purchased at an cost $200 a pop. As a general rule of thumb, Her- independent music store, which is great news for man won’t touch records under $30, and spends Herman, whose life and paycheck revolve anywhere between $150-200 a week on records. around his hole-in-the-wall record shop.

Though he tries to fight it, Herman’s a reHerman’s personal record collection is litcovering music snob, sniveling at Herman’s Her- tered with rare, sealed records that he saves for a mits LPs, and barely able to admit his affection rainy day. When he buys a really expensive for his “guilty musical pleasure,” The Mamas & record, like his $200 Japanese “Sgt. Pepper’s the Papas.

Lonely Hearts Club Band” mono red vinyl in “My friends who I work with here will give mint condition, he sets a special date to listen to me shit for that,” he says, regarding his love of it. He’ll listen to that particular album the day he the band as he flips the Temptations record and graduates from college, he says. settles back onto his stool behind the counter.

“It sounds so stupid – that’s like buying a Herman is about 5’9, skinny and clean cut, painting and not looking at it.” clad in a green plaid shirt with his left arm proBut for Herman and fellow employee Math tected by a mass of rubber bands worn as Horne, not buying vinyl would be their ultimate bracelets. Born and raised in Fairfax, Herman challenge. went to W.T. Woodson High School, which is “The feel of it, the atmosphere you create by just across the street from the Xchange. Though putting on a record,” Horne says with a far-off he only started working at the Xchange four look in his eye and vibrancy behind his words. months ago, he’s been a customer since his teens “What’s the ideal way of listening? It’s a quiet and counts his employees at the Xchange as room with a nice turntable and a nice copy of a music-knowledge deities, who harbor all the record.” musical secrets that hide behind the covers of Whatever it is about records that causes each carefully preserved album in the store.

Herman and Horne to constantly spend money The 24-year-old audiophile is a senior soci- on them, one thing is clear – Herman doesn’t ology major at George Mason University and a have plans to quit his fixation anytime soon. member of the Army Reserves, “an awful deci“I order stuff off eBay too,” Herman says, sion” he signed up for to pay for school that then stops to reflect on what he’s said about all never quite panned out. the money, time and energy he puts into records.

“I’m a patriot, I swear,” he jokes leaning into “Geez, it sounds like I have a serious problem.” the recorder, smiling, as he talks about his dis-

Laura Jasso Junior Art history “Reality TV like ‘The Biggest Loser’ is a huge exploitation.

They put the weight back on after the show, and it doesn’t let them change their lifestyle.”

Colin Wall Senior Government and international politics “My favorite is ‘Jersey Shore.’ They’re so entertaining. The people that say it’s hurting your brain are over thinking it. They shouldn’t judge my shows. I don’t judge theirs.”

Rose Broberg Freshman Communication “Reality TV is so good. I like the ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta.’ It’s interesting to see because you can peer into someone else’s life.

We all have that innate desire to do so.”

Zainab Ibrahim Freshman Public health

FROM THE VAULT: ‘The Girl Who Knew Too Much’ Heather Blevins Broadside Correspondent In 1963, while Americans were raving about Elizabeth Taylor in “Cleopatra,” Italy was pioneering a new genre of film called “giallo.”

At its most fundamental, giallo incorporates suspense, sexploitation and horror. “La ragazza che sapeva troppo,” also known as “The Girl Who Knew Too Much,” is acknowledged as the first giallo film.

This film, directed by Italian filmmaker Mario Bava and starring John Saxon and Letícia Román, is about an American tourist, Nora, who visits her elderly aunt in Rome. After her aunt passes away, a series of events entangles Nora in the midst of several bloody killings. Upon witnessing what Nora believes to be a murder on the Spanish Steps, she finds herself delirious and is hospitalized after losing consciousness.

Nora’s struggle to recall what she saw that night yields an interesting series of plot twists and suspense.

Although some may argue that giallo predates “The Girl Who Knew Too Much,” this film truly marks the arrival of the Italian genre. At the time the film was produced, European jet-setting was newly popularized, and the depiction of Nora’s journey to Rome captures the excitement of traveling the world while simultaneously showcasing famous Italian landmarks.

“The Girl Who Knew Too Much” received recognition for its stylish look as it was the last black-and-white project Bava directed. The film also highlights giallo’s literary origins by incorporating the reading of a giallo novel in the opening scene.

This film is dramatically different from the modern horror film, relying less on gore and violence to scare the audience. “The Girl Who Knew Too Much” is a classic film about mystery, murder and suspense.

More of the same Cage the Elephant delivers predictable sophomore album Dylan Hares Staff Writer To follow up their hit debut album, Cage the Elephant had to do something truly fantastic. For their sophomore effort, “Thank You Happy Birthday,” Cage seems to have accidentally stumbled on what could be called a valiant effort and a worthy successor.

People know Cage the Elephant widely for the mainstream success of their single “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked,” which was largely overplayed by the end of the 2009. For those who enjoyed that single, “Birthday” is going to be largely something new from the 5-piece alternative rock outfit.

The album opens up strong with “Always Something,” a heavy, rhythm-driven power anthem that is sure to please Cage’s mainstream and casual audience. In general, “Thank You Happy Birthday” is lightly sprinkled with songs people would expect from Cage such as their latest single “Shake Me Down.”

Things get messy when Cage taps into their punk and grunge influences with songs like “Aberdeen” and “Around My Head.” These songs feature frantic tempos and lazy vocals over sloppy arrangements that are probably much better live than on the album. Still, these strange punk songs have a boyish charm that, when juxtaposed with every other song on the album, aren’t too offensive to the ears of the casual listener.

Cage could have easily left off a few tracks such as “Rubber Ball,” an intimate, acoustic number which is about three minutes too long and they definitely should not have ended the album with the pseudo-psychedelic “Flow” which is just plain strange.

Overall, “Thank You Happy Birthday” is a mess of an album, but is accessible to a wide audience and serves as a testament to the writing and performing talents of a fantastic band rising to great heights.

Broadside

6 | Monday, January 31, 2011 From MEESTER, Page 4 Q: The movie has a really prevalent marketing campaign in college campuses with these big green wanted ads, so I was wondering what would you be looking for in the perfect roommate?

A: Well, I actually love living alone. I used to have roommates all the time when I first moved into my own place. It’s a challenge to live with people.

Obviously the best thing about a roommate, in a good situation, is if you know them, if you’re friends. If you don’t, you have no idea what their habits might be, you’re kind of taking on their friends and their life as well in your home, but I don’t know,

someone who’s clean I guess.

I lived with all different roommates and there were always parties going on whenever I came home and you’re sort of expected to socialize like all the time even when you don’t want to.

And of course good roommates are really fun and for the most part I was pretty lucky but I did have some not so good experiences with roommates who eat all your food and take all your clothes and whatever.

Q: How was this role in “The Roommate” similar and/or different from your role as Blair on “Gossip Girl”?

A: It couldn’t have been more different. The entire experience all together was different, but the

character, she is from a different place, she has a different background, different parents.

Rebecca has a history of having a mental disorder. It’s not at all the same as what I play day to day on my show, which is a pleasure to break from that and do something different but it’s also so incredibly different from who I am as a person as well.

You know, she’s not making any decisions based in reality, she doesn’t find pleasure in pleasurable things. She only does anything, including interact with anybody physically or verbally, to gain something for herself and she uses her intelligence, her sexuality to gain control of other people.

Meanwhile, she doesn’t have any

Cheap Eats

with Ramy Zabarah

control of her own mind. So obviously it’s a very far cry from what I do on my show.

Q: With your character being such a complex character, how did you feel when you read the script?

Did you feel like you had to be the character and be in character when you weren’t filming just to really understand the dynamics of everything that was happening in her head?

A: I think it’s really difficult to understand what is going on in her head for anybody, so yes, there was an aspect to the character that you can’t really just switch on and off. I wasn’t able to, between takes and between scenes, shoot the breeze with everyone and just have a blast.

Style It wasn’t the easiest thing to do, but that’s what’s satisfying about it, and overall it’s a good experience. It’s not the same as playing a character that’s closer to yourself.

Q: Why do you think people should see this movie, even if they may be scared of scary movies by default?

A: I’m such a wimp, too and trust me I saw it. I was in the movie and I was scared. But I think it’s definitely jarring and disturbing at points, but I think it’s also exciting.

It is fun and it’s a ride and it’s very sexy. I think it’s a story about two young women who are thrown into a situation together in which they don’t know each other at all

One meal at a restaurant or at the food court in the Johnson Center is harmless to your wallet. It might even be feasible the second time. However, the third outing in a week might raise some concerns, especially when it’s time to check your bank account balance.

But here’s a crazy idea: cook at home.

Many students reject the idea of cooking because they think it’s too difficult, time consuming or expensive, which isn’t necessarily the case.

I intend to provide you – the average college student – with

Remember: preparation is about 70 percent of the work, so start by dicing the onion and the tomato and chopping the parsley, which shouldn’t take longer than five or ten minutes. (Once you cut the tomato and the onion, don’t forget to refrigerate the rest.) I also like to use caramelized onions, but if you don’t know how to make those, don’t worry, I’ll be showing you how next time!

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk, and add salt. Next, add the tomato and parsley and whisk some more. Remember to keep the onions separate.

Now that your ingredients are ready, it’s time to cook!

In a medium frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat, then after about 15-20 seconds add the onions.

Let the onions sizzle for about a minute. Once the onions are evenly distributed around the pan, pour the egg mixture on top.

Turn down the heat to a nice medium-low and let it cook for a few minutes.

Once the eggs become less liquid and start to have a soft,

First date faux pas

Sex Columnist First dates – we all know the protocol. There are some things that just aren’t appropriate to talk about. If you don’t have too many beverages and make a conscious effort to steer clear of hot button issues, then you may save yourself some embarrassment.

Over break, some of my friends were telling me about a couple of dates they went on and it seems like the perfect time for me to make it clear what you absolutely should not talk about on a first date.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is not cute to brag about how much money you make or things you own. No matter how much you think this will increase your chances of getting laid, money is not the best way to get somebody to like you for you.

Telling a person you just met how much you earn is a major turn off and has no relevance. Also, do not talk about how little you make, either. (In guy lingo, that’s like admitting you are a gold digger.)

Do not bore him with your life story. If a guy is out on a date with you, it is because he is interested in who you are now. I promise he could really care less about your high school cheerleading competition days or your old swim team days.

Trust me, this is a mistake I myself have made.

Talk about something cool you have going on right now.

Another part of your past you should leave out is the stories from the good old partying stage.

Guys that are actually interested in you want to respect you, just as you should strive to be re-

simple, cheap recipes for meals that can be made in your apartment, dorm or communal office kitchen.

This week, I bring forth the conversation of eggs. Whether you prefer them hard-boiled, scrambled or sunny-side up, eggs can make all the difference in your daily budget.

At only two to three dollars a dozen, eggs contain enough protein to keep you going from the minute you leave the house until lunchtime. And we all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day! Give this recipe a try:

GOAT CHEESE OMELET Servings: 1 • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 3 eggs • 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped.

• 1/2 tomato, diced • 1/4 onion, diced • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/4 cup milk • 2 tablespoons goat cheese (Trader Joe’s goat cheese is the best)

Eggs, eggs, eggs!

Brandi Morehead

and I think a lot of people can relate to that.

You move out of the house, you go across the country, you go to college, you don’t know your roommate. They could be either an incredible life-long friend or they could be Rebecca.

You never know who you’ll be paired with. To me that’s an interesting point of view for the movie.

I’ve had my share of roommates and I can totally relate.

I think everyone can relate, maybe, to a friend who’s a little too needy and nosy and in your business all the time.

spectable.

Telling a guy how many times you passed out or how many people you’ve slept with is a one way ticket to Singlesville. Ladies, the more secrets you keep on the first date, the better!

He also does not need a play by play of your work day. He might be interested in what you do, but not the intricacies of your workplace relationships and struggles. Trust me, he doesn’t care that much.

By the time you are talking about how many e-mails you sent that day, he pictured your nipples in at least five different shapes and sizes. He is still a guy, honey!

Health problems really should be saved for after you are dating somebody. Although he may like you and even possibly like you a lot, telling him about yeast infections or how you get headaches every single day may turn him off.

Remember giving out such personal information when you barely know him may make him only picture the wrong things about you when he sees you.

Last but certainly not least, do not talk about your ex (or other guys you are dating)! It might seem obvious but too many of us make this first date faux pas over and over again.

If you are dating a few guys at the same time, that’s fine, just keep it casual and not serious until you find the one you really like. But do not let any of them know you are seeing other people. That is just not good dating manners.

To recap: Keep conversations light and flowing, no personal stuff on the first date and leave a lot to his imagination. Also, don’t put out too soon either!

puffy texture, it’s time to sprinkle some goat cheese on one side of the omelet. (If you don’t like goat cheese, you can substitute it with something a little lighter like cheddar or provolone).

Here’s the critical part: After you add the cheese, use a spatula to flip one half of the omelet over the other half, covering the cheese and creating a semi-circle. Let it cook for about 30 seconds then flip the omelet. Let it sit for another 30 seconds and voilà!

You have breakfast.

There you have it! A cheap, filling and delicious meal that will have you leaving the house with a full stomach and enough energy to take on the world. I like to drink a hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of orange juice with my omelet, but you can have whatever you like.

Bon Appétit!

Opinion Broadside

|7

Monday, January 31, 2011

Broadside

Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down

George Mason University’s Student Newspaper Emily Sharrer, Editor-in-Chief Sonya Hudson, Managing Editor Monika Joshi, Copy Chief Gregory Connolly, News Editor Justin Lalputan, Opinion Editor Elizabeth Perry, Asst. Opinion Editor Ramy Zabarah, Style Editor Erin Powell, Asst. Style Editor Cody Norman, Sports Editor Pat Carroll, Asst. Sports Editor Peter Flint, Photography Editor

Benjamin Shaffer, Copy Editor Marine Jaouen, Copy Editor Jared Barrale, Copy Editor Heather Hamilton, Copy Editor Liz Milligan, Designer Michelle Buser, Designer Dylan Hares, Staff Reporter Scott Miller, Advertising Director Jacques Mouyal, Business Manager Kathryn Mangus, Faculty Adviser David Carroll, Tech Adviser

Thumbs up to Skyline for finally fixing the water fountains upstairs. Now I won’t die of dehydration.

Thumbs up to the snowstorm that hit Wednesday. Not only did the campus look gorgeous, but we also got to miss class.

Editorial Policy 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.

Thumbs down to drivers who can’t drive in the snow and caused traffic jams around campus. Get some snow tires. In fact, get a driving instructor and learn how to make a turn in the snow.

Thumbs down to the George Mason University Board of Visitors for approving a 4.46 percent increase in room and board for the 2010-2011 school year.

You guys make our lenders very happy.

© 2011 by Broadside. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the editor-in-chief.

The seat-saving situation

Man on the Street

Seat-savers deserve a stab in the neck

Did you make a New Year’s resolution?

Brandon minster G R A D S T u d e n t

Opinion

Columnist

Last week, I went to an event where patrons saved seats for their friends, resulting in another experience where I had the strong desire to stab people in their necks.

I hate the practice of saving seats and I hate seat-savers.

I make exceptions for those who are already seated but have some reason to leave, such as going to the restroom. However, people who save seats for others who have not arrived get my blood boiling.

In a room with n seats, if I'm qth in line, such that q < n, basic decency states I get a seat.

But if the kth person (k < q) wants to save w seats and w > (n q), I don't get one, even though q < n.

If that’s too mathematical for you, let me put it plainly (again): I hate seat saving.

We use waiting lines to apportion access to goods and services because time spent waiting approximates how valuable said good or service is.

Someone ahead of you put more time in, therefore he values it more, and he should get it before you do.

But saving seats pools the costs and allows a bunch of people to get seats who don’t value them as much as those who didn’t get seats.

Imagine five friends; one values the seat sufficiently to stand in line to make sure he gets one, while the other four don’t.

However, they all get seats.

But it’s worse than just that.

As long as the seat-saver values the esteem gained from his friends, he doesn't even need to value the seats themselves.

All five people end up with seats, none of whom values it enough to pay the full cost in terms of time spent waiting.

When n is non-binding, saving a seat just carries proximity value, like friends who want to sit together once they get inside an uncrowded theater. (Although then the binding constraint could be good seats.)

In that case I would say go ahead and save the seat. What do I care?

I'm not such a misanthrope that I’m going to keep friends needlessly apart.

It’s not just when I’m the one missing out on a seat that the practice bothers me.

At the event, I got a seat, but

those around me saved seats.

Because the bathroom visitor is a legitimate possibility, you can’t just move the coat to the floor and take the seat (which is my preference).

You have to ask, “Is this seat taken?” And they say, “Yes,” although it’s taken by someone not there, and possibly not even coming.

There’s the biggest problem: You’re saving it for someone who self-identified as the least-interested party in contention for the seat.

He is possibly so uninterested he won’t bother to come at all.

When finally released back into the pool, the seat is then available for a different latecomer, who has also indicated how little the seat is worth to him.

One guy behind me told people, “I'm holding it for someone in the elevator.”

Like proximity matters. I heard, “My friend is just 10 places behind you, not 75, so you should let her cut.”

Please, your friend is not here, so give me that seat.

I won’t save seats, so don’t even ask me.

If you wanted a seat, you should have put in the time in line like everyone else.

And if I see you saving a seat, I’ll shank you right in the neck.

Once for each wasted seat.

A. Yes, I do every year.

B. I did this year, but I usually don’t.

C. Yes, but I probably won’t follow through with it.

D. No, I have before, but this year I decided not to.

E. No, I think they’re pointless.

What YOU said...

“My New Year’s resolutions would be realistic instead of making goals I know I can’t follow through with.”

Shaterika Below Junior Biology Photo by Peter Flint

Photo by Peter Flint

“New Year’s resolutions are stupid. No one ever sticks to them.”

Kyle Harrington Freshman Music Photo by Peter Flint

“I resolved to stop drinking soda but I’m not going to start until February.”

Rebecca Kush Sophomore English

If you would like to submit your opinion on this poll, respond at www.broadsideonline.com

Students and the practice of drunkorexia A new habit that utilizes anorexia to speed up the process of getting wasted

Elizabeth Perry

S E N I O R

Asst. Opinion Editor

It’s no secret that the general population of college students in our society depends on alcohol abuse for social enjoyment.

In general, alcohol abuse is the consumption of alcohol to the extent that it impairs the mental, physical, social and emotional capacity of the user.

Whether it’s to forget our problems, feel happy or decrease our social inhibitions, we abuse alcohol in order to temporarily enter

a mindset that dismisses our concern for how others view us.

Senior Brent Dicken admitted that becoming drunk is a confidence booster, saying that it “makes people feel more comfortable around people they don’t know.”

However, decreased inhibitions are not always a good thing.

They often lead to decisions that impact or ruin the rest of our lives.

Perhaps the most common and dreaded result of drunkenness is the pounding in our heads when we wake up.

Hangovers. They’re a little like an incurable STD. You can’t repair; you can only prevent.

Drink plenty of water, pace yourself, and of course, eat enough or else alcohol is going to swim solo through our veins and conquer us before we even have a chance to enjoy a little buzz.

The result?

Our starving bodies are deprived of the fuel that healthy foods provide so they are left with no choice but to make due with what we give them and cruelly punish us for it the next morning.

So none of us would purposefully not eat enough before drinking, would we? Actually, we would.

Known as drunkorexics, their goal is to reduce their calorie intake by only providing their bodies the calories contained in alcohol.

While it is important to be sympathetic to individuals who suffer from eating disorders, this one strikes a different chord.

Those of us who fall under this category appear to possess so little self-respect that we not only starve our bodies to avoid weight gain, but we are also willing and eager to get drunk as fast as possible and avoid the pressure of sober

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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.

socialization.

Perhaps the irony of this disorder should provoke even more pity than anorexia or bulimia because it represents the pressure we are under to not only look but also act a very specific way.

A New York Times article, “Starving Themselves, Cocktail in Hand,” by Sarah Kershaw verifies that drunkorexics often violate their own weight loss objective by going on eating binges as a result of their bodies’ starvation.

Additionally, as mentioned before, they are unlikely to escape their body’s wrathful hangover due to functioning on nothing but alcohol. Usually, alcohol abuse is not seen as a problem for us since we generally incorporate it into the majority of our social plans.

Drunkorexia, however, demonstrates a different and more serious perspective on drinking. It

Editorial Board: Emily Sharrer, Editor-in-Chief Monika Joshi, Copy Chief Sonya Hudson, Managing Editor Justin Lalputan, Opinion Editor Elizabeth Perry, Asst.Opinion Editor

proves the power it has over some of us who give more preference to being socially accepted than to our own health.

Regardless, we will continue to abuse alcohol and take great pleasure in it despite the consequences.

But it is still important to consider the underlying reasons for this and to recognize that a habit that seems customary and harmless to some of us is actually a source of painful disease for drunkorexics; individuals who somehow reason that ingesting alcohol, or appearing to ingest alcohol, is more important than taking care of their bodies.

Their habit does seem to make sense though, since their rigid refusal to risk consuming too many calories indicates that they really don’t like their bodies anyway.

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.

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Broadside

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10

The number of games the men’s basketball team has won at home this season heading into this week’s games against Hofstra and Old Dominion.

Monday, January 31, 2011

Players of the Week Cam Long Ryan Pearson

James Madison Midseason Breakdown

CAA Spotlight

Patriots claim back-to-back Player of the Week honors amid seven-game streak Cody Norman Sports Editor For two consecutive weeks, a member of the George Mason University Patriots was selected as the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week.

Senior guard Cam Long, who averaged 22 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in the Patriots victories over conference opponents Drexel and James Madison last week, was awarded the honors. His 30-point explosion in the victory at James Madison marked a career-high in the scoring category as he was 8-of-9 from the field, including a perfect 4-for-4 from deep range. He became the first Mason player in three seasons to top the 30-point plateau.

“It’s all about confidence,” Long said. “Confidence in myself and confidence in my teammates.

They were able to get me in a good position to shoot the ball and I just took advantage of it. I’ve been

feeling really good lately and my confidence level is continuing to grow.”

The previous week, junior forward Ryan Pearson posted 19 points and 5.5 rebounds a night for the Patriots in their victories over Northeastern and Georgia State. He poured in a career-best 24 points against the Huskies early in the week and came back with another 14-point effort at home against Georgia State. He was the first Mason player to claim Player of the Week honors since Jan. 25 of last year when Long picked up the award. During his freshman season, Pearson was named CAA Rookie of the Week on two separate occasions.

Both Long and Pearson have played a key factor in Mason’s current seven-game winning streak.

They’ll look to continue their momentum in what is projected to be a tough week for the Patriots as they take on the Hofstra Pride and the Old Dominion Monarchs.

Photo by: JMU Athletics Communications

Junior forward Ryan Pearson (24) a empts to box out James Madison’s Denzel Bowles (21), the conference’s leading rebounder.

Pat Carroll Asst. Sports Editor Halfway through the Colonial Athletic Association schedule, the George Mason University men’s basketball team enters the final stretch of their regular season. Key matchups against CAA leaders Virginia Commonwealth University and Hofstra University as well as a big game against Old Dominion University for Homecoming make the road for the Patriots that much more challenging.

With five weeks left until the CAA tournament, it is ironic that there are five top contending teams that are making a run at an NCAA tournament berth. Over this next month, we will take an in-depth look at James Madison University, Hofstra, ODU, VCU and Mason to better understand what they bring to the table in preparation for the CAA tournament which begins March 4. This week’s CAA spotlight team is the James Madison University Dukes.

In the last meeting between the JMU Dukes and the Patriots, Mason came away with a narrow 75-73 victory in Harrisonburg in what proved to be a momentumchanging game. A pair of clutch threes by senior guard Isaiah Tate added to a late run by Mason in the second half which proved to

be the deciding factor in the Patriots road win against JMU. However, if it wasn’t for the Patriots late run, the outcome of the game could have gone the other way.

JMU poses threats to Mason specifically in their frontcourt.

Senior forward Denzel Bowles provides size down low for the Dukes. The 6-foot-10-inch, 260pound Bowles is a point-scoring and rebounding machine. He is runner-up in the CAA in scoring with 17.8 points per game and rebounding with 9.2 rebounds per game.

Against Mason, he had 21 points, 14 rebounds, six blocks and four assists in one of his best performances of the year. Bowles’ size brings matchup problems especially when he can draw fouls and get the opponent’s big men in foul trouble. He has a knack for scoring around the basket, leading the CAA in field goal percentage with 59 percent from the floor and can shoot from nearly anywhere within the arc. According to Fox Sports Summer 2010 rankings, Bowles is a projected NBA draft pick and is a prime candidate for CAA player of the year.

Alongside Bowles in the Dukes frontcourt, junior forward Rayshawn Goins is a perfect com-

plement. His 6-foot-6-inch, 275pound frame is fit for banging in the post and he provides a defensive presence in the paint. In his first game for JMU, he posted a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds against the No. 3 Kansas State University Wildcats.

In the Jan. 22 meeting against the Patriots, Goins contributed a near double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds in a losing effort. The former McDonald’s All-American nominee is second on the Dukes in scoring with 11.0 points per game and rebounding with 7.8 rebounds per game.

The JMU backcourt, though not as lethal as their frontcourt, has its share of game-changers.

Junior guard Anthony (“Humpty”) Hitchens and sophomore guard Devon Moore can score but are mostly distributors to Bowles and Goins. Hitchens provides the Dukes with a threat from behind the arc.

Against the College of William and Mary, he scored 17 points and hit 5-of-6 three pointers in a comeback win. Moore has proven he can score as a redshirt sophomore. The former all-CAA rookie team selection is coming off knee surgery in 2009 and has been a spark for the Dukes. Coming into the year, he was nomi-

nated along with 66 other college point guards for the Bob Cousy Award for the nation’s top point guard. In his first game coming off surgery, he scored 13 points in 33 minutes of action against then-No. 3 Kansas State. The Dukes defense is not nearly as strong as their offense, ranking ninth in the CAA allowing 67.1 points per game. This statistic is evident with a strong performance from senior guard Cam Long as the Dukes guards were unable to contain him, finishing with a career-high 30 points and CAA Player of the Week honors.

JMU has the components to make a strong run at the CAA tournament and a berth in the NCAA tournament. With one of the toughest frontcourts in the CAA, Bowles and the Dukes have plenty of weapons that are sure to drive defenses crazy. Their insideoutside game is tough to guard and their size advantage is a key component into what makes them a team that has the potential to be play in the Big Dance.

The next meeting between the two in-state rivals will be at the Patriot Center on Feb. 12.

Next week, we will take an indepth look into the ODU Monarchs and if they have what it takes to make another NCAA tournament run.

Unsung Athlete: Bryan Bahr Mason diver earns Diver of the Week honors Cody Norman Sports Editor For the second week in a row, a member of the George Mason University men’s diving team claimed the Colonial Athletic Association’s Diver of the Week PhotoCourtesy of Gomason.com

honors.

Junior Bryan Bahr earned the title for the third time this season and the eighth time in his three year career with the Patriots. In the Jan. 22 home quad meet against Old Dominion, Army and American, Bahr scored a 361.30 in the 1-meter dive, which

was a Mason team record previously held by junior diver Derrick Butts, who eclipsed the previous record last week.

In the 3-meter dive, Bahr recorded a score of 347.60 to pick up a first place finish in both diving events.

Mason Scoreboard Jan. 24: Men’s Basketball vs. Delaware – W 69-49 Jan. 27: Men’s Basketball vs. Towson – W 84-58 Jan. 27: Wrestling @ American – L 3-43 Jan. 27: Women’s Basketball @ Delaware – W 51-48 Jan. 28: Men’s Volleyball vs. Ball State – W 3-1 Jan. 29: Men’s Basketball @ William and Mary – W 86-69 Jan. 29: Men’s Volleyball vs. IPFW – L 2-3

The State of DC Sports Address Cody Norman Sports Editor Distinguished readers and fellow fans of the district’s sports teams: As set forth by the citizens in the most powerful city in the world, (insert name here) shall deliver to our fan base information regarding the state of our beloved sports franchises from time to time. For more than a century, this nation’s capital has played spectator to a rich history of sports franchises, venues, players and owners. It has witnessed three Super Bowls and one NBA Championship. And, most recently, it has sat by and watched the state of the district’s sports turn into a conglomeration of suck.

It is times such as these that test the courage of our convictions and the strength of our union. And despite all our divisions and disagreements, we have chosen to move forward as one nation. And one people.

It is tempting to look back on the aforementioned moments of triumph and to accept the undeniable lack of success from our sports teams. Though I caution that may only be a diversionary tactic to prevent us from realizing the ineptness of the other franchises. Furthermore, you, members of the loyal burgundy and gold nation, deserve better.

Rest assured that the egotistical Daniel Snyder has turned the reigns over to a seasoned front office that is working diligently to return the Washington Redskins to a respected franchise. They will continue to sign blank checks for proven free agent talents, as long as they will agree to do the worm on the field in the middle of an embarrassing defeat at the hands of a division opponent. Or, at the very least, remain professional when the Shanahan regime pulls them in the fourth quarter because they lack the stamina to run a two-minute offense.

This year, the year 2011, marks the 20th anniversary of our team’s last NFC Championship. It marks the 20th anniversary of the last time the burgundy and gold nation saw their team as legitimate contenders in the NFL. And 2011 marks the year that the Washington Redskins can only dream

about the success recently experienced by the Capitals.

After winning the Presidents’ Trophy in last season’s campaign, Alexander Ovechkin and his team felt their sphincters tighten for the third consecutive year in the playoffs. The current season is transpiring without the same success as last season but the Caps have overcome some early season struggles to produce the eighth best mark in the league.

Fear not, though, Capitals fans. There is a great chance that they will win a Stanley Cup before the Wizards are able to steal a road win. Neither seems likely to happen any time in the foreseeable future. Fortunately for the Wizards, Cleveland and Minnesota still have an NBA franchise – for now – saving Washington from being the worst franchise in basketball.

Following their wretched performance last season, it became pertinent for general manager Ernie Grunfeld to trade away the team’s guns and reload its superstars. I mean, trade away its superstars and reload its guns.

The Washington Nationals have been in a rebuilding phase since their move from Montreal in 2005. They have significantly improved their future with the drafting of Stephen Strasburg, Drew Storen and, most recently, Bryce Harper.

But while they await the maturity of their youthful talent, they are making noise in the free agent market, signing outfielder Jayson Werth to an obnoxious $126 million contract. That noise, though, may prove worthwhile if Werth’s bat can deliver the same punch as a spear from his celebrity look-alike, current WWE heavyweight champion Edge.

This city – our nation’s capital and unarguably the most powerful city in the entire world – houses some of the most diverse franchises in all of sports.

A toothless Russian captains our hockey team while a young man who isn’t even of legal age runs the floor for our NBA team.

All the while, an over-priced fat man and over-the-hill quarterback call the shots in Landover. As for the Nationals, both Strasburg and Harper are projected to make their debut together in 2012. Just in time for the world to end.

Broadside

Sports

Monday, January 31, 2011 |

11

Long, Patriots ride seven-game win streak A potent defensive attack has Patriots in prime position to challenge for CAA championship Cody Norman Sports Editor

Photo By Peter Flint

Senior Cam Long drives through traffic to score against the Towson Tigers in Thursday’s game.

Photo By Peter Flint

Junior Andre Cornelius fights for possesion just before the end of the first half.

Offense wins games. But defense wins championships.

If that statement holds true, the George Mason University Patriots have themselves in prime position to make a run at the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament championship in March. And, most importantly, they have themselves in great position to make some noise in the 2011 version of NCAA March Madness.

Their three point defense ranks among the top-20 in the entire country while their scoring defense weighs in for 35th best in the nation. As their team defense has progressed throughout the season, the offense has benefitted greatly and allowed the Patriots to post a +12 scoring margin, good for 28th in the county, throughout the first 22 games of the season.

“Right now, we feel like we are clicking real well,” said junior forward Mike Morrison. “Everybody is on the same page and playing together. We’re doing a great job of adjusting to each team and our confidence is very high right now.”

Mason’s stellar defense was on display in the Patriot Center on Wednesday night as they held Towson to a mere 42 percent shooting in their 84-58 victory. In that contest, the Patriots notched eight steals and were able to convert each of those steals into twopoint baskets. The anchor of the defense, senior guard Cam Long, recorded five of the team’s seven steals while contributing an impressive 12 points and eight assists to the stat sheet.

“I was in the right position,” said Long. “But because we were playing great team and individual

defense, I was able to jump the lanes and pick up some easy steals.”

In Saturday’s 85-69 victory over the William & Mary Tribe, the Patriots defense tightened up in the second half and limited a very good shooting team to just 42.3 percent from the field in the final 20 minutes of play. Mason posted six steals in the contest and was able to convert for 10 points of turnovers compared to just five points for the Tribe.

Long, again, led the way for the Patriots with a 20-point performance. His impressive performance was highlighted by a buzzer-beating three-point basket to end the first half that turned the tide for the Patriots and gave the team momentum heading into the break.

“I was capable of knocking down that shot,” Long said. “And it definitely gave us a lot of momentum heading into the second half.”

Sophomore guard Luke Hancock has played a major role in the team’s success as of late. He averaged 18 points and five assists in what was one of his most productive weeks as a Patriot. His presence on both sides of the floor is irreplaceable for Coach Jim Larranaga as he, Long and Isaah Tate anchor the back court of the Patriots potent defensive attack.

“We have to understand that we have to always be focused and always be ready for anything on the defensive side,” Long said.

“We have executed a lot better lately and that shows in our success.”

The Patriots will look to continue that success and build upon their seven-game winning streak as they take on Hofstra and Old Dominion in the Patriot Center this week.

Morrison moves into top12 in two categories After a week in which he posted an average of 7.5 points and four rebounds in two games for the Patriots, junior forward Mike Morrison has moved himself into the top-12 in two categories on the Patriots all-time list.

His career field goal shooting mark of .539 ranks tied for 10th and his 97 career blocks are tied for sixth all-time.

Long joins 1,000 point club In what was an absolutely dominant week for senior guard Cam Long, the Palm Bay, Fla. native has scored 1,246 points in his career at George Mason. Long is now in sole possession of 19th place all-time as he passed John Vaughan with his 20-point performance on Saturday afternoon against William & Mary.

Mason ranks in the top-30 in RPI For the first time since Feb. 26, 2006, the Patriots have cracked the top-30 in RPI rating according to Collegiate Basketball News. The team is one of five CAA teams ranked in the top 75 and is the highest ranked conference team at 29th in the nation.

Coach L: Winning machine Coach Jim Larranaga is the winningest coach in conference and school history. His victory over the James Madison Dukes on Jan. 22 marked the 260th victory for the Patriots coach and was also the 520th win for Mason as a Division I basketball team.

With victories over Delaware, Towson and William & Mary since then, Larranaga now owns more than half of the Patriots Divsion I victories in his 14 seasons as head coach.

Photo by Stephen Kline

Section 124

Daniel Zimmet Patriot Platoon Member As members of the Mason Nation, we are committed to unconditionally support the green and gold as they take to the court two or three times a week. With that being said, there is much more to each game than a winning team and a losing one.

As our Patriots posted an impressive 84 points compared to a sub-par 58 by the Towson Tigers, one might solely see this game as men playing amongst boys. This win further extended the Patriots record to 10-0 at home and 16-5 overall. However, it was very clear that our beloved team played their hearts out until the very end, even with such a colossal lead.

I’d have to say that if it was not already clear before, senior Cam Long has clearly gone above and beyond to not only lead the team in points,

A Fan’s Perspective

Team success is top priority for senior Cam Long

steals, three pointers and minutes played, but also to emerge as an overall team leader. Once last year’s only senior Louis Birdsong graduated, it was obvious that Cam saw the leadership spot open up and he ran with it, starting with the team’s summer trip to Italy, all the way to the mid-season form where we are now. There are no signs, reasons, or excuses that Cam shouldn’t and won’t be the team leader all the way until the very last horn.

With less than 10 minutes to go in the game and his team up by nearly 30 points, Cam took a dive after a loose ball and passed off to an open teammate for a score. Minutes later, he was visually and verbally upset with his team’s defensive stand and would have been fed up with seeing another turnover on the next possession.

It is easy to say that Cam’s incredible determination, leadership and passion for the game is indescribable.

But what is even more impressive, and

unfortunately what we see less and less of in the country today, is his strong dislike for appraisal of individual achievements on the court. Each and every team has leaders emerge from the masses but it is rare to see the respect and honor that Cam’s teammates and coaches have to play and work with him on a day-to-day basis.

All four of George Mason University’s coaches clearly have the trust that Cam will lead his teammates by example on and off of the court. He is far more focused on team play, team winning and team cohesion than any 30-point game he may have or game winning shot at the buzzer. Now this is not to say that any other player is more or less “team oriented.”

However, it is clear that Cam has become the player on the court that we have been waiting to see, and even more of a class act off the court than we could ever imagine.

Interested in becoming the next writer for Section 124?

Send your thoughts on Masonʼs menʼs basketball team to cnorman2@masonlive.gmu.edu for consideration.

We want to know what you think.

Events Calendar Feb. 2 – 7 p.m. – Men’s Basketball vs. Hofstra More than halfway through the 2010-11 season, the Colonial Athletic Association is shaping up to be a five-team race for conference title. The Hofstra University Pride and the George Mason University Patriots are two teams that have a legitimate chance to steal the crown in the conference tournament and claim the CAA’s only guaranteed berth to the NCAA tournament.

In the first meeting between these two teams, the Pride stole the show in front of their home crowd and put Mason away by a final score of 87-74. Hofstra guard Charles Jenkins, who torched the Patriots for 32 points back on Jan. 5, leads the conference in scoring with a 23.5 points per game average while Mason’s senior guard Cam Long ranks fifth and junior forward Ryan Pearson ranks 11th in the same category with 15.3 and 14 points per game respectively.

Feb. 5 – 2 p.m. – Men’s Basketball vs. Old Dominion Saturday’s match-up against the Old Dominion University Monarchs marks Mason’s Homecoming basketball game. Many Mason basketball alumni will be in attendance for what promises to be a competitive meeting.

In the first meeting between the Patriots and Monarchs, ODU put Mason away by a final score of 69-65 in Norfolk. Then, on Jan. 8, Blaine Taylor’s squad ruled the paint, outscoring Mason 46-30. The Patriots, however, kept the game close, as the game witnessed six tie scores and nine lead changes in 40 minutes of action.

Feb. 6 – 2 p.m. – Women’s Basketball vs. Hofstra Closing out a solid weekend of Mason basketball, the women’s team will host Hofstra as they participate in the NCAA/CAA Pack the House Challenge. The Patriots will try to break the program’s single-game attendance record of 3,152 as they take on conference opponent, the Hofstra Pride at the Patriot Center.

12

| Monday, January 31, 2011

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