May 2 issue

Unable to make it to Mason Day? Read about last Friday’s events in the style section!

Pg. 5

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

May 2, 2011

Volume 87 Issue 23

OSAMA BIN LADEN DEAD

Mason finds heir to the throne Former Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt tabbed as new coach for men’s basketball Cody Norman Sports Editor

Photo By David Bier

Thousands gathered in front of the White House in celebra on of Osama Bin Laden’s death, according to The Washington Post. People began gathering before President Barack Obama addressed the na on, explaing that Bin Laden had been killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan. The crowd outside the White House cheered, chanted and sang the na onal anthem, according to The Post.

Proposed budget would raise in-state tuition by 5.7 percent Photo courtesy Panoramio.com

The Aqua c and Fitness Center will be closed for the installa on of a new ven la on system this summer.

Aquatic Center closing for summer Repairs to HVAC system cause of May 23 shutdown Michael Lagena Broadside Correspondent The Aquatic and Fitness Center on George Mason University’s Fairfax campus will be closing over the summer to replace the facility’s ventilation, said Connie Benson, director of recreation. “[The heating and airconditioning units] are past their lifespan so they aren’t working efficiently and they need to be replaced,” Benson said.

Since they were installed in 1997 when the Aquatic and Fitness Center was built, the units have been exposed to pool chemicals and the elements.

The HVAC system is critical to maintaining indoor temperatures and humidity levels, especially in the recreational and competition pool areas. The new system will regulate temperatures and humidity better than the old and will make both pool environments cooler than before, Benson said.

Also part of the improvements will be the installation of a timer on the spa in the recreational pool area, so the spa is not constantly releasing heat into the air and users can control the jets themselves.

“The spa is shooting out bubbles with its water temperature at 104 degrees, so [the air temperature] is an issue you’ve got to deal with when you’ve got that kind of heat coming into the pool

area,” Benson said.

Additionally, a new fire sprinkler system and a new vent will be installed. The new vent will draw hot air out and improve circulation in the pool areas, contributing to cooler and more comfortable pool environments.

With the Aquatic and Fitness Center closing for the summer, students, faculty and staff will have to use the Recreation and Athletic Complex instead. Students living on campus over the summer are both thrilled and aggravated by the change.

“I feel that the improvements at the AFC will be inconvenient for me over the summer because I will be living in Liberty Square and I will not be able to use it,” said Colleen Zimmerman, freshman business management major.

The planning process began in September 2010, and the total cost of the HVAC system replacement will be $2.5 million. Members of the Mason community who began membership to the fitness facilities before May 23 and go until August 15 will have their memberships extended for 90 more days, according to an open letter from assistant director of recreation Nathan Dougan.

The Aquatic and Fitness Center will be closing May 23 until August 16 to allow time for the new HVAC system to be installed without delays.

Out-of-state tuition would increase by 5 percent for 2012 Gregory Connolly News Editor George Mason University Senior Vice President Maurice Scherrens and Provost for Academic Affairs Peter Stearns cohosted a budget forum Friday in which they announced they were submitting a budget for 2011–12 to the Board of Visitors that calls for a 5.7 percent in-state tuition increase.

The budget also outlines a 5 percent tuition increase for outof-state students. In-state students are looking at a $432 increase in tuition, a $150 increase in fees and a $430 increase in room and board. Out-of-state students will face a $1,146 increase in tuition, a $150 increase in fees and a $430 increase in room and board if the Board of Visitors accepts this budget at its meeting Wednesday.

Mason’s proposed 5.7 percent increase is in the middle of the pack, with University of Virginia and Virginia Tech among the schools with a higher percent-

age increase. William & Mary and James Madison University are two schools with a smaller increase.

Changes in the state budget have forced Mason officials to make difficult decisions — while some faculty and staff members haven’t had pay raises in years, the amount of money the university receives from the state per student has steadily decreased since 2009.

“If we simply transmitted our budget cuts we were suffering [onto] students, the increase would be in the 10- to 12-percent range,” Stearns said. “Having said that, we have faculty and staff who haven’t received a salary increase in four years. It’s [faculty and staff going four years without a pay raise] a serious issue in humane treatment of people and frankly in keeping our most talented folks here.”

The budget calls for compensation improvements to employees in addition to $1.5 million to increase undergraduate and graduate financial aid. The state will also contribute $3.5 million

for financial aid, which should cover 25 to 30 percent of the overall cost facing students, Scherrens said.

Scherrens said increasing pay for faculty and staff who haven’t had a raise in years is a high priority of the university and of the Board of Visitors.

Scherrens said it costs $15,000 to educate a student over the course of a school year.

“One of the real reasons that we’re struggling is the paradigm shift in terms of whose paying for higher education,” Scherrens said.

“Three or four years ago, the state was giving us $137 million per year. What we’re looking at in fiscal year 2012 is $35 million less than that.”

Scherrens said this is the reality across the country and that he hopes the decreases flatline.

The state general fund once gave as much as $7,267 per student in 2008, but the number has since declined to $4,797 for 2012.

See BUDGET Page 3

George Mason was picked as an early preseason top-25 team and they will likely be favored to win the CAA this season. They return four of five starters, losing just two players, Cam Long and Isaiah Tate, to graduation.

Everything seemed to be falling right in to alignment.

Students and fans in the Fairfax community were counting down the days until the season opener in November.

Then, the unthinkable happened.

After 14 seasons at the helm of the Patriots, coach Jim Larranaga resigned from the program and accepted a job in Florida, making him the new head coach of the Miami Hurricanes.

Mason fans were up in arms for the better part of the weekend, declaring the season over before it began via Twitter and Facebook.

But the long-awaited announcement came on Saturday afternoon: coach Paul Hewitt, formerly of Georgia Tech, will become the new basketball coach at George Mason University.

Hewitt was fired by the Yellow Jackets in March after posting a 190-162 record in 11 years at the school. He was just 72-104 in the Atlantic Coast Conference but coached his team to the 2004 national title game before losing 8273 to Connecticut.

See HEWITT Page 11

Best of Mason Pilot House number one late-night option Jeffrey Giorgi Asst. News Editor At George Mason University, students have a multitude of options on campus, ranging from food and alcohol to books and concert tickets. However, in spite of the abundance of choices, it seems that the student body has its favorites, which rarely change.

According to an article in The Mason Gazette, chicken tenders and ice cream are the first items students approach when they enter Southside dining hall, though there are some outliers.

See BEST Page 3

The financial side of studying abroad Cost of a semester away tied to gas prices and airline tickets Jeffrey Giorgi Asst. News Editor With summer fast approaching, students will spend their time going home and visiting friends, working and saving money or furthering their education by studying abroad. But how has the continuing economic recession affected the study abroad program at George Mason University?

“We do a good job of keeping our costs down,” said Kevin Stoy, marketing coordinator for the Center for Global Education.

“I think it’s more perception than anything. When there’s a reces-

sion and the economy is struggling, people tend to think [studying] abroad is a luxury and less of a necessity, which we think is a huge mistake. I don’t feel that because the economy is struggling our costs have gone up.”

What have affected the study abroad program costs, however, are international events.

“I’ve been in study abroad for 25 years now,” said Mary Arnold, general manager for the Center for Global Education.

“There [are] always ups and downs with pricing and expenses. They often correspond to gas prices because airline tickets

go up, and the rise and fall of the dollar effects our pricing a lot.”

The Mason study abroad program does its best to keep costs to a minimum by avoiding third parties and spreading the price out.

Arnold said that they try to manage the students’ expectations of service, like the quality of hotels, meals and academic experience abroad with the “need to keep things as [inexpensive] as possible.”

One problem facing the study abroad program is a lack of student involvement. The fewer students who travel, the more costly it can be for individual stu-

dents.

“Students are looking at it as more of a luxury and not looking [into] study abroad as much,” Arnold said. “That raises the prices because then we have fewer students to spread out the cost on the ground.”

The average scholarship for traveling abroad is anywhere from $500 to $1,000. However, when the cost of tuition for a semester at the University of Oxford costs up to $17,000, it can make the idea of traveling abroad daunting for students

See ABROAD Page 3

2|

News Event Calendar

Broadside

42

The number of written documents collected by the Presidential Task Force, which is investigating the George Mason Police Department’s interaction with students.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Developing traditions

Monday, May 2 DeStress Fest Kiosks Johnson Center, Kiosk H 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Catholic Daily Mass Student Union Building II, Room 4 Noon

Tuesday, May 3 Tuesday Jams SUB II, Corner Pocket 5 – 6 p.m.

Healing Arts Ensemble Recital Concert Hall, Grand Tier III 6 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Ali Abdulhussain

Wednesday, May 4 The Weekly Rub SUB I, 3rd Floor Atrium 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Trip to New York City brings together newly reinstated Financial Management Association

MCL Awards Ceremony Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 5 High Five for Off-Campus Students Parking Lot A 8 – 11 a.m.

DeStress Dippin’ Dots Student Union Building II, Corner Pocket 1– 3 p.m.

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

POLICE FILES April 25

Top: (From le to right) Financial Management Associa on members Kais Arbi, Ali Abdulhussain, Andrew Duong, Marouen Mansour, Abdul-Rasheed Ogunbiyi, Evan Rowland, Georgi Zhelev, Dale Hersey, Christopher Molina with James Smith, financial advisor at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney on the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange. FMA member Jenny Xu not pictured. Bo om: (From le to right) Andrew Duong, Abdul-Rasheed Ogunbiyi, Ali Abdulhussain, Kais Arbi, Christopher Molina and Marouen Mansour pose outside the NYSE.

Trespass Warning Issued Arlington Campus/Hazel Hall Suspicious individual was issued a written trespass warning and escorted off campus. (54/Galle) Vehicle Accident Braddock Rd/West Lot Entrance Vehicle 1 struck a sign and two vehicles. Estimated damage $19,000. (27/Feliciano)

Emily Sharrer Editor-in-Chief Behind the doors of 11 Wall Street is the world’s largest stock exchange — a place that George Mason University senior finance major Ali Abdulhussain had ever only dreamed about setting foot.

In film, the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange is a chaotic cluster of stock brokers and traders yelling about buying and selling as they gesture animatedly with their hands toward a flood of neon numbers scrolling across a ticker.

But this frenzied and exciting big screen portrayal is far from the tame reality of the increasingly automated stock trading business, where brokers’ need to shout has been quelled by the use of computers. For Abdulhussain, though, Wall Street is about more than the falsified hype. As his fellow Financial Management Association member Abdul-Rasheed Ogunbiyi puts it, the stock exchange is a finance major’s Mecca.

“I couldn’t believe we were actually there,” said Abdulhussain, president of the newly reinstated FMA, which was defunct for the fall 2010 semester. “I felt very fortunate to go there when it’s still functional…I believe in a few years it is going to become a museum.”

Ogunbiyi and Abdulhussain’s trip to the iconic stock ex-

April 26

Theft From a Building Performing Arts Building Victim reported their laptop stolen. Estimated loss $1700.oo. (49/Broughton) Accident GMU Blvd Damage to a passing vehicle by construction fence.

Estimated damage $200.00. (40/Ross)

April 28

April 27

Damage to Property Founders Hall Arlington Damage to a vehicle and a parking gate. Damage estimated at $600.oo. (54/Galle)

Grand Larceny Science and Tech I Complainant stated that person(s) unknown stole her unsecured wallet. (39/Ortiz) Grand Larceny Aquatic Center Complainant stated that person(s) unknown stole her unsecured purse. (29/Capizzi)

Simple Assault Liberty Square Info was provided to the victim to seek warrants after physical altercation with roommate. Case also referred to Dean of students. (39/Ortiz-Duran) Theft From A Building Franklin Hall Victim Reported some of her clothes stolen from laundry room. (12/Ly)

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

Broadside does not make any changes to public records.

change was the highlight of a trip the pair took in late March with seven other FMA members to the Financial Management Leadership Conference in New York City.

The two-day trip was a mile marker and bonding experience for the organization’s members, who finished third out of 42 schools during a quiz bowl at the conference.

“I would say the trip did it for us,” said Ogunbiyi, who is in charge of marketing for the FMA. After merely three months, the ten finance majors have grown a common respect and admiration for each other that serves as the backbone of their exclusive finance society.

“I saw FMA starting out as a knit group,” said Georgi Zhelev, co-vice president. “We have a lot of people…who I’ve looked up to in the past to motivate myself and to be better and I think that’s why we’ve become so tight.”

“It became a passion more than just getting a degree,” added Abdulhussain, who stressed that the main goal of the FMA is networking.

Collectively, the group has various family and professional connections that they share with each other along with professional advice and study tips.

“It’s pretty cool to just have a group of people you know you can rely on for help,” said Chris Molina, secretary of the group.

“Individually we all have our strengths, but we can’t do it on our own. I think if we join all our talents together, then we have a big pool of talent and information.”

Before they became FMA members, Abdulhussain, Zhelev, Molina and Ogunbiyi were unsure what they wanted to do with their finance degrees. Now they say they credit the conference and the support of their fellow finance majors for giving them the know-how and drive to get where they want to go in their careers.

“We are actually very active in trying to make sure we’re set for the future,” said Ogunbiyi. “I feel prepared now. I know what I want to do and I know how to get to it.”

As their memorable semester together comes to a close, Abdulhussain and Molina are getting ready to bid farewell to their fellow finance fanatics. An

informational session this Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the Johnson Center’s room C will serve as a recruiting event for the organization, which is accepting applications for all of its officer positions. Half of the FMA’s members are graduating at the end of this month. You do not have to be a finance major to become a part of the organization.

“I want us to serve as a lighthouse,” said Ogunbiyi, who hopes to carry on the legacy of networking and friendship that Molina and Abdulhussain helped build this semester. “To say, this is a path. If you want to go into finance, we’ll show you the way…I want us to be like a guide.”

“We’re going to try to have people with good grades, people who have networks and people who want to succeed,” added Zhelev about recruitment. “I think that’s the main purpose of FMA is to broaden your horizon.”

Photo courtesy of Ali Abdulhussain

Professor’s research used by Seattle police The Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy seeks to reduce crime Nathan Dorfman Staff Writer Crime does not occur everywhere in a city, but rather in a small concentration of specific places, according to David Weisburd, director of the Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy and distinguished professor of criminology at George Mason University.

“About 5 percent of street segments in a city have 50 percent of the crime,” Weisburd said in a phone interview. “One percent of street segments have between 22 and 25 percent of a city’s crime.”

Research conducted by Weisburd and the CEBCP indicates that urban crime most often occurs in a concentration of street segments referred to as “hot spots.” Hot spots form at street segments where routine activity, a motivated offender and the absence of a capable guardian exist.

Crime opportunity factors also cause hot spots to develop.

Hot spot policing, or focused preventive patrol, is now being used by police systems in cities around the country, most notably in Seattle, Wash.

Research on hot spots within Weisburd’s book “Criminology in Place,” published by Oxford University Press, has been implemented in Seattle.

The city council and city auditor of Seattle appreciated the research, said Weisburd, who along with CEBCP deputy director Cynthia Lum and CEBCP postdoctoral student Charlotte Gill, will visit the Seattle City Council on Monday.

“Hot spots have employees, high-risk juveniles, facilities and arterial roads,” said Weisburd, who received the 2010 Stockholm Prize in Criminology for his research on hot spots.

Juvenile hot spots include shopping malls and juvenile centers. Bus stops and train stations are common hot spots as well.

Oftentimes, city police use random preventive patrol,

spreading police to many different areas of a city for maximum coverage. But fair evidence exists that random preventive patrol is ineffective in large urban regions.

By utilizing focused preventive patrol and stationing police at hot spots, crime can be reduced, Weisburd said.

“Eighty-six hotspots in Seattle produce one-third of all crime incidents in the city in which a juvenile was found to be involved,” Weisburd said.

When combating juvenile crime, Weisburd advocates for creating community organizations and increasing supervision for juveniles rather than arresting them.

“If you put juveniles in the criminal justice system, they will be worse off in the future,” Weisburd said.

Through research, Weisburd understands that unsupervised socializing leads some juveniles into trouble.

“The community and police should work together to increase

supervision and reduce chance of misbehavior, while decreasing arrests,” Weisburd said.

Weisburd and the CEBCP applied for funding from two federal government programs to support innovative efforts in combating juvenile crime through the creation of community organizations.

The CEBCP seeks to develop understanding of the root causes of crime, disseminate this information and evaluate current practices.

From Aug. 15 to 17, the CEBCP will host its third Annual Evidence-Based Crime Policy Symposium on campus.

Students majoring in criminology, law and society, as well as all students in general, are welcome to interact with the CEBCP, Weisburd said.

Students interested in opportunities and internships with the CEBCP can visit gunston.gmu.edu/cebcp/, or contact deputy director Dr. Cynthia Lum at clum@gmu.edu

Broadside

News

News Briefs Humane Society’s ‘Woof Walk’ The Humane Society of Fairfax County is hosting a “Woof Walk” on Sunday, May 22 at the Burke Lake Park Amphitheater from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event is an effort to fundraise, raise awareness about animal abuse and cruelty in the area and promote pet adoptions.

The “Woof Walk” is a day dedicated to man and “man’s best friend.” There will be a three-mile walk, a silent auction, contests, prizes, an “Ask a Trainer” booth and Congressman Gerry Connolly will be a VIP visitor.

There is a registration fee of

$20 online or $25 on the day of the event and $5 for each pet.

Six animal lovers from Professor Sergei Samoilenko’s Principles of Public Relations class have helped in the promotion of this event and the Humane Society in general. “[The Woof Walk] will help the Humane Society in the long run, and hopefully some animals will be adopted,” said Katie Oswald, a junior communication major and one of the animal lovers from George Mason University helping the Humane Society of Fairfax County.

New Broadside editor-in-chief elected Gregory Connolly has been elected Broadside's Editor-inChief for the 2011-2012 academic year. Elections were held through secret ballot Friday, April 22, after each candidate gave a brief presentation of their objectives and proposal and took part in a

period of questions and answers with the staff.

Connolly, a senior communication major, currently serves as news editor.

Current Style Editor Ramy Zabarah also campaigned for the position.

news briefs by Sonya Hudson, managing editor

Students share their favorite campus food options BEST, from Front “I head straight for the cereal bar,” said Holly Klodin, a freshman biology major. “That or the salad bar.”

Southside allows students to eat as much as they want for a set price. However, Southside is not a 24-hour facility, which leaves students to seek out alternate dining locations at night.

Pilot House, one of the newest places to eat on campus, has surpassed Ike’s as the most popular late-night diner. According to William Fry, director of retail operations for Mason Dining, in the Gazette article, the latenight snack of choice is a slice of cheese pizza or chicken wings.

“I like to get cheese pizza and fries,” said Ann Ibraz, a sophomore communication major. “I’m usually up late studying and just need a break.”

Mason’s local watering hole, the Rathskeller, is a nice place to watch a sports game or grab a cold

beer to unwind after a long day of exams or papers. According to the same article, Fry said Mason students love Yuengling and like to drink it with a basket of chicken tenders.

“I actually didn’t even know the Rat served alcohol,” said Beth Nechamer, a sophomore English major. “Now that I do though, I’ll be there when I finally turn 21.”

Beyond the normal food and beverage purchases, the Patriot Center has had a successful year showcasing such acts as Alice in Chains, 30 Seconds to Mars and even Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus. But according to the article, the top-selling act of last year was Gorillaz, and this year, students are already buying tickets for Ke$ha’s show in August.

The bookstore saw best-selling novels like “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and “Water for Elephants” top the list.

Apple dominated the sales in the Patriot Computer stores with the new iPad 2.

State money for Mason has steadily decreased since 2009 BUDGET, from Front Scherrens spent part of the forum discussing how Mason stacks up against other Virginia universities in terms of money received from the state. The numbers show that Mason has at times received as much as 80 percent of what is received by the other doctoral schools, but the number is typically between 75 and 80 percent.

“Old Dominion is a great school,” Scherrens said, “but being in their company on this is not where we want to be. As ODU knows and GMU has learned, and you have learned, we’re the last ones at the trough. There has never been the willpower or the interest in reducing the funding at the other schools to try to level the playing field a little bit.”

The budget allocates $500,000 for an increase in development.

“We’re in what’s called the ‘quiet phase’ of the major moneyraising effort,” Stearns said. “Any time a university does a capital campaign, it has to expand staff.

The rule of thumb is that you spend 20 cents to get $1. This is our 20 cents.”

Some of the other budget priorities are as follows — $850,000 for library materials, $3 million for enhancement and expansion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, $4.15 million for operating and maintenance expenses for new buildings, $850,000 CISCO technology initiative and $4.10 million new enrollment growth funding.

“These items have been institutional priorities and represent major drivers of the estimated $22 million E&G [Education and General] budget increase,” according to the PowerPoint that was used at the forum.

Affording a semester abroad is a matter of planning ABROAD, from Front who don’t recognize the value of the opportunity.

“So what’s the value?” Stoy said. “Well first of all, [if ] you leave Virginia and you go somewhere else and say, ‘I went to George Mason University,’ people aren’t going to know what that is.

You go somewhere else and say, ‘I studied for a semester at the University of Oxford,’ people are going to know what that is.”

Not all the programs are as expensive as Oxford. There are over 60 programs available at Mason, and several are much more affordable.

“You can go abroad for two weeks and earn three credits in Ecuador for around $3,500,” Stoy said. “[Or] you can go to Greece for eight days for about $2,500.”

Compared to other schools, Mason’s study abroad program is relatively young, according to Stoy.

With time, the program will be able to offer the same opportunities as other schools.

“A school like William & Mary offers over $200,000 a year to study abroad,” Stoy said. “We’re nowhere near that. Students would say that they don’t study abroad because they can’t afford it.”

Stoy and Arnold said they would argue anyone can afford to study abroad as long as they properly plan ahead and understand the opportunity.

“It’s a matter of them understanding that these programs are a necessary part of their studies and that they require some investment on their part,” Stoy said.

“They require them to put some money into these kinds of programs up front so that down the line they get into graduate school, they get the job they want and then they pay those finances off.”

Monday, May 2, 2011 | 3

Mason’s golden ninja Charitable student hopes to inspire peers Jeffrey Giorgi Asst. News Editor Many people on campus have met or at least know of Chris Mayernik. Some have seen him biking around; others just instantly spot him in a crowd. Tumblr even has a page dedicated to Mayernik sightings. Unlike most people on campus though, Mayernik has another name, a name more and more people are learning daily — Golden Ninja.

Whether it’s handing out golden coins to various charities in the Johnson Center or sporting a distinctive golden jacket and backpack, it’s difficult to miss him in a crowd.

“When I think about Golden Ninja,” Mayernik said, “the key words that come to my mind are a leader, not a follower, and young and fearless. It’s the kind of person trying to do great things that maybe other people are afraid to do.”

No stranger to adversity, Mayernik was raised as a home-schooled military brat before entering the world on his own at 18 after being kicked out by his parents.

“My family moved around a bit … because both my mom and dad were in the Navy,” Mayernik said. “I went from Seattle to Georgia, and then I lived on a sailboat when I was really young … I’d never gone to public school till [Northern Virginia Community College] and until now. But through these challenges I came up with the mindset of ‘never give up.’”

Anyone who has seen him walking around campus has probably seen his stereo backpack with those very words — “never give up” — displayed in gold on the back of it. It’s a motto Golden Ninja hopes to use to inspire everyone, not just here at George Mason University, but the whole world.

“I want people to believe in their dreams,” Mayernik said. “Yes, you’re going to fail, but the Japanese have a proverb … that means failure is the origin of success and they have another one … which means fall down seven times, get up eight.”

His nickname hasn’t always been there either.

“I wasn’t even sure I was going to be called the Golden Ninja,” Mayernik said. “But some of the names I came up with were really dumb. I had Golden Man, Golden Warrior, Golden Boy, and I thought those were terrible. Also, a lot of those were taken for the dotcom and that’s important for the future.

Because what if you say, ‘Check out Golden Ninja. His website is goldenninja31.com.’ It’s confusing.”

Creativity has always been the driving force behind everything Mayernik has done, even when he was just a kid.

“I started drawing and I wasn’t good,” Mayernik said. “I couldn’t even draw a stick figure. But those stick-figure fighting animations online, those inspired me. So, literally, I started drawing stick figures.”

So what’s in the future for Golden Ninja?

“The next thing is the more difficult thing,” Mayernik said, “because I got your attention. But now the next step is to hold [the] attention and grow your audience to a much larger audience. Because the more people I work with, the more people I inspire, then the more I can do. So it will kind of be me trying to build some kind of interactive online show where I go around with a video camera docuPhoto by George Yanez menting the things I’m doing and finding other people doing inspirational things and George Mason student Chris Mayernik, comgetting them out there. And also to try and monly known as the Golden Ninja on the Fairfax campus, has made a name for himself with have fun.” his inspiring speech and gold-colored clothing.

Presidential task force wraps up forums Group will now begin formulating report for Merten Gregory Connolly News Editor After two open forums for members of the George Mason University community, a meeting with resident advisors and a meeting with resident directors, the Presidential Task Force commissioned to investigate the Mason Police Department’s interaction with students will meet Monday to begin discussion of what will appear in an interim report to President Alan Merten.

Communication professor Peter Pober, one of the two co-chairs of the Task Force, said today’s meeting is the first time the group will discuss its findings. After the interim report, due to be sent to Merten by mid- to late May, the Task Force will compile a final report which will be submitted at the end of June.

The Task Force engaged resident directors and advisors, and collected 42 written documents outlining interaction with police in addition to hearing 16 to 18 testimonies from members of the Mason community who spoke at the open forums, Pober said.

The overwhelming majority of people who spoke at the two open forums expressed concern with the Mason Police Department. Most of the concerns came from students detailing interactions they had with police officers, according to the transcripts.

Students at the open forum were given five minutes to speak to the task force and the reports ran the gamut.

Conflict analysis and resolution major Keenan Hartless spoke of a series of messages he received from a threatening individual and the lack of interest

he perceived to be shown by Mason police to his dilemma. Conversely, Barry Geisler, general manager of the Patriot Center, said, “I’ve had the good fortune to work alongside the police in handling many events here at George Mason at the Patriot Center, and over that time I guess I’ve developed an appreciation for police work.”

“Everybody’s been very positive about [the task force],” Pober said.

“They’re appreciative that the president called for the Task Force, appreciative of the forum and sincerely hope that the recommendations that come out of this will be carefully addressed by the president.”

Pober said he believes a number of people feel like there should be more consistency from both police and students — consistency in the way specific situations are handled and a specific understanding of policies on both sides.

The Task Force was called for shortly after Mason student Abdirashid Dahir was arrested on felony abduction charges stemming from an incident at Fenwick Library. The charges were later dropped, and an independent consulting firm specializing in institutional safety, Tomlinson Strategies, LLC, has been hired to investigate the policies and procedures that led to Dahir’s arrest.

“We are not at this point [addressing], nor do we intend to specifically address, the incident that led to the formation of the Task Force,” Pober said at the first student forum, according to a transcript. “There’s an external review taking care of that.”

Mason community speaks out at open forums The following quotes and information were taken from transcripts of the two open forums held by the Presidential Task Force.

“I often see Mason Police off campus and it makes me as an economist wonder if we have too much police and too little to do.”

-James Bennett, professor of economics “The officers that I met there have been absolutely inspirational to me and they've really mentored me, you know, and actually convinced me to apply within the George Mason Police and so I did that, and I really, really think that, you know, it's very important to understand that police have such a difficult job.”

-Kerrie DeGaetano, psychology major Robert Aramayo said police responded to a noise complaint, but went to the wrong apartment. The students in the apartment were drinking, but were of age. Most of the guests had placed their identification in an adjacent room which Aramayo said agitated the officer. Aramayo said the officer told his roommate who expressed the location of the identification to “shut up” because he was impeding a police investigation.

Aramayo said his roommate went to the bathroom and after he finished, the officer entered the bathroom and said that the student was only allowed to move when she said so. She then arrested the student for obstruction of justice. Aramayo said his roommate asked for clarification and that the officer said she would charge him with resisting arrest if “he kept it up.” Aramayo said his phone rang so he looked at it, and the officer said he was not allowed to answer his phone and then handcuffed him.

-Roberto Aramayo, undeclared major

Wearing jeans to raise awareness Denim Day promotes sexual violence education and prevention Statistics about rape and sexual assault Every two and a half minutes, somewhere in America, someone is sexually assaulted.

82.8 percent of rapes committed by an intimate are not reported to the police.

35 percent of college men who voluntarily participated in psychological research conducted at several universities indicated they might commit a rape if they knew they could get away with it.

Around the world, at least one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime. Most often the abuser is a member of her own family.

20 to 25 percent of college women in the United States experience attempted or completed rape during their college career.

In 2005-2006, there were an average annual 232,010 victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault.

About 44 percent of rape victims are under age 18 and 80 percent are under age 30.

Statistics taken from www.denimdayinla.org

Sonya Hudson Managing Editor Denim Day is a rape prevention education campaign, organized by Peace Over Violence, an organization dedicated to preventing sexual violence. This year’s Denim Day was observed last Wednesday.

Denim Day honors an Italian woman who was a victim of sexual violence in the 1990s. In this case, the 18-year-old woman was picked up by her married 45-year-old male driving instructor for her first driver’s lesson. He took her to an isolated road, pulled her out of the car, wrestled her out of one leg of her jeans and forcibly raped her.

Threatened with death, he forced her to drive home. She told her parents, and they helped her press charges. He was arrested, prosecuted, convicted of rape and sentenced to jail.

He appealed his sentence and the case made it to the Italian Supreme Court. The case was overturned, dismissed and the driving instructor was released. In a statement by the Chief Judge, he argued, “because the victim wore very, very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them, and by removing the jeans it was no longer rape but

consensual sex.”

Enraged by the verdict, within hours the women of the Italian Parliament protested by wearing jeans to work. This action encouraged the California Senate and Assembly to do the same. And with this, Executive Director of Peace Over Violence Patricia Giggans began Denim Day in Los Angeles in April 1999. On Denim Day, people are encouraged to “wear jeans as a visible means of protest against misconceptions that surround sexual assault,” according to the Denim Day in LA website.

“The case is so outrageous,” said Connie Kirkland, director of Sexual Assault Services at George Mason University. This year was Mason’s third year observing Denim Day. “It’s really about solidarity,” said Kirkland.

Denim Day would have been better promoted at Mason if they had known earlier the specific date of the event, said Kirkland. Sexual Assault Services did have kiosks in the Johnson Center where information about sexual violence was passed out, as Denim Day not only remembers victims of sexual violence but focuses on education and prevention.

Broadside

4 | Monday, May 2, 2011

News

All you need to know from spring 2011 A look back at the biggest stories of the semester in photos Larranaga packs bags for Miami

Disappearance of Bethany Decker

International Week flag protests

Photo courtesy of Gabby Styles

The search con nues for George Mason student Bethany Decker, who disappeared in late January. Decker’s story drew na onal a en on and was featured on Nancy Grace’s program. Anyone with informa on on Decker is encouraged to call inves gators at 703-777-1919.

Merten announces retirement

Photo by Edward Kyle File Photo

George Mason University men’s basketball coach Jim Larranaga accepted a coaching job at Miami. Larranaga, who has served as Mason’s coach since 1996, was replaced by the former coach of Georgia Tech, Paul Hewi .

Snow day

File Photo

George Mason President Alan Merten announced he will step down in June 2012. Merten has served as president since July 1996 and has overseen signiďŹ cant growth.

Circus protests

Bowers, Yoo win election

Photo by Jacob McLernon Photo by Peter Flint

A snowstorm caused school to be cancelled on the ďŹ rst Thursday of the semester.

Several students protested the absence of the ag of Kurdistan. Since there were no interna onal students who had Kurdistan on their papers, the ag was not permi ed to y.

Allyson Bowers (le ) and Jacky Yoo (right) were announced as the 2011–12 president and vice president of George Mason’s student government.

Mason named residential campus

Photo by Gregory Connolly

Photo by Monika Joshi

Members of the Animal Rights Coali on protest against alleged animal abuse in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, which came to George Mason in April.

George Mason was named a residen al campus by the Carnegie Founda on for the Advancement of Teaching.

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The number of annual deaths that occur in the United States due to testicular cancer

Monday, May 2, 2011

‘Malcolm in the Middle’ star a hit Free carnival rides, free food and a free concert made an enjoyable Mason Day despite the cool weather

Photo By Peter Flint

Photo By Peter Flint

The Plain White T’s took the mainstage and drew a crowd as the headliner for Mason Day.

Aisha Jamil Staff Writer Free carnival rides, free funnel cakes and free entertainment. What more could you ask for?

Mason Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm and fun on Friday. Hundreds of Mason students gathered in Lot L, eager to see what awaited them.

“This day has been amazing!” exclaimed Leslie Steiger, a sophomore majoring in communication and psychology. “The local bands playing are awesome, especially the Funk Mnkyz!”

Headlining this year’s Mason Day was American pop rock band Plain White T’s, best known for their smash hit song “Hey There Delilah.”

“I waited all night for them to perform ‘Hey There Delilah’ and it was completely worth it,” said Stefanie Juvinel, a junior integrative studies major. “When lead singer Tom Higgenson left the front stage to perform that track with the back row audience in the small back tent, it was surreal.”

Other students, however, were not as thrilled with the music selection.

“The Plain White T’s are all right, though I am really looking forward to the Wiz Khalifa concert next week,” said Tony Ta, a junior communication major.

As part of Mason Day’s entertainment package, rapper Wiz Khalifa will be performing Wednesday at the Patriot Center.

The carnival also featured rides such as the Tilt-A-Whirl, a rip-roaring, knee-jerking ride that spun riders in every possible way.

“The ride looked faster than it actually

The crowd went wild as Frankie Muniz hopped off of the stage and posed for pictures with a few lucky students. felt,” said junior management major Melissa Pinder. “However, the best part of this whole carnival is that it’s free.”

Mason Day featured lots of free snacks including popcorn, cotton candy and funnel cakes.

“The food is utterly delicious, especially the funnel cakes,” said Kim Carr, a senior tourism and events management major. “I am glad that this year they had more funnel cake trucks than last year. It really helped cut down on the long lines.”

Overall, students were happy with Mason’s effort to entertain them in such a festive way.

“It is nice to see Mason providing entertainment in such a healthy way for students,” said freshman Julia Hed. “Props to Mason for making it such a terrific event.”

Photo By Stephen Kine

Students packed lot L for Mason Day fes vi es.

30 Seconds to Mars rock the Patriot Center Band brought high-energy during well-received performance Heather Gioia Broadside Correspondent An elaborate stage set up alone — complete with eight flags, two skeletons, two TV screens and a giant white curtain —would make a 30 Seconds to Mars show memorable, but the band was willing to go beyond just putting on a good show Frontman Jared Leto was sure to make the 30 Seconds show at the Patriot Center Wednesday evening something fans and spectators wouldn’t forget.

“We’re finally home,” exclaimed Leto, who grew up in the area. “This is a special show.”

Special doesn’t even begin to describe the performance 30 Seconds gave; mind-blowing might be closer. Playing a mixture of

old and new songs, 30 Seconds didn’t simply play a show — they made the show unforgettable.

“There [are] an awful lot of people sitting on their fat asses back there,” Leto addressed fans still sitting in the stands. “This is a 30 Seconds to Mars show!”

Spectators who paid extra to be on the floor closer to the band may have been irritated when Leto opened the floor to all fans, instructing security to step aside. However, frustations were cast aside as the lights dimmed and the band played again.

The crowd peacefully lost control while Leto instructed everyone to “go fucking crazy.”

As if giant red balloons, a fallen white curtain and dousing the crowd in confetti weren’t enough, Leto climbed

into the crowd while performing “The Kill” off their 2005 album “A Beautiful Lie.” Scaling rows of seats in the Patriot Center, Leto found himself surrounded by the ecstatic fans in section 130.

Without missing a beat, Leto made his way to the floor where hundreds of fans were gathered, then took off to hang out with the fans in section 116.

By the time the band was concluding the show with “Kings and Queens,” over 50 fans had been called on stage.

30 Seconds to Mars created a memory. Whether you like the band or not, the show was worthwhile, and comical at times. Leto was a show in himself, instructing the crowd to chant, cheer, mosh and, of course, “bounce around pogo-style like its 1979.”

Photo By Peter Flint

30 Seconds to Mars thrilled the Patriot center with their performance last Wednesday.

photo by Peter Flint

photo by Peter Flint

Tom Higgenson and Dave Tirio of the Plain White T’s chill before their performance Friday.

Plain White T’s headlines Mason Day Band members discuss their success Krista Germanis Broadside Correspondent The Plain White T’s performed at Mason Day on Friday. They played some of their hit songs such as “Rhythm of Love,” “Boomerang,” “Our Time Now” and, of course, their Grammy-nominated hit, “Hey There Delilah.”

The band started in a garage in Chicago but soon moved on to the local club scene.

The band was greatly impacted by rock music, crediting the Beatles as one of their biggest influences.

Some other artists they admire include Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, U2, Coldplay, Panic! At the Disco, The Strokes and Jimmy Meet World.

When asked about staying grounded with such success, Tom Higgenson, lead singer and guitarist, and Dave Tirio, guitarist and backup vocalist, believe the key is hard work and keeping close friends and family ties.

Higgenson said, “we’ve had to work really hard for what we’ve gotten and I think that just makes us appreciate it more and more to not take people for granted.”

Tirio agreed saying, “when things come fast for people it just makes them spin out of control.”

The Plain White T’s got their big break in 2007 with their song “Hey There Delilah.” The inspiration for the song came when Higgenson met and developed a crush on Delilah DiCrescenzo, a nationally ranked runner.

Although the two never developed a relationship (Delilah already had a boyfriend), he promised he would write her a song, thus creating the hit.

The song was later nominated for a Grammy in 2008, bringing the Plain White T’s into the spotlight.

Although still with her boyfriend, Delilah attended the Grammy’s as Higgenson’s date for the night.

Higgenson and Tirio were ex-

tremely friendly and modest about their success. When asked about attending the Grammy’s they were excited and enthusiastic about the experience.

“I’ve watched that my whole life growing up and always wanted to be there, so to get to go and be nominated was amazing. I got to meet Ringo Starr and Yoko Ono, which was pretty incredible,” said Higgenson.

Tirio added, “it was weird too because the red carpet and the tent that it happens under; you don’t realize how big it is. It took three hours to get down the red carpet... With like 50-60 interviews, it’s crazy! It’s a crazy day!”

When it comes to songwriting, many of the guys put in an effort, however Higgenson is known for being one of the main songwriters in the band. He claims to be “a romantic at heart” and says that he is as sweet in relationships as he is in his music.

“If a girl is awesome, then the sky’s the limit,” says Higgenson.

6

Broadside

| Monday, May 2, 2011

Style

The root of all evil

Testacular!

Students raise awareness about testicular cancer during annual festival Hannah Powers Broadside Correspondent Each year, the OďŹƒce of Alcohol, Drug and Health Education holds Testival, an event to promote awareness of testicular cancer. Testival takes a humorous approach to educating the students and faculty of George Mason University about testicular cancer.

This year’s event entertained and educated the Mason community with games like Penis Plinko, Guess the Gonad, NUTrition, Penis Trivia and Testicular Pursuit. Amongst the fun and games, the event also had serious and educational tables providing support and awareness for those living with cancer and promoting general men’s health. “We’ve had a diverse crowd [of ] teachers and faculty, and then some students have come by,� said Erika Zeidler, senior nursing major stationed at the

T-shirt table. Unlike other events at Mason, Testival gave T-shirts away on one basis. “I [had] everyone tell me how to give [themselves] a self exam before they got a T-shirt,�

Zeidler said as she turned a student back towards the informative tables to learn how to perform the four-step test and receive his free T-shirt. Zeidler felt that the event accomplished what the OďŹƒce of Alcohol, Drug and Health Education had in mind. “It’s a good community outreach program,â€? Zeidler said. “It shows people to not be afraid to get help if they need it. It highlights the main areas that this age group should be aware of.â€?

Whether to become educated on testicular cancer or receive free barbecue from Sausagefest, many male and female students attended Testival.

For some, testicular cancer

was a far more personal subject, as it had aected someone they knew.

At the Testicular Pursuit table, Colleen Mattingly and Michael Hecker answered questions about how many gallons of sperm a man produces.

Both junior government and international politics majors, Mattingly and Hecker knew someone with testicular cancer.

Hecker uses this connection and the opportunities at Testival to stay educated. “It’s good awareness,�

Hecker said. “Not a lot of people our age think about it, but it’s prevalent.�

Providing support and education to the Mason community, Testival was a success.

Whether students attended for a free T-shirt or barbecue or went in honor of someone they knew, the Mason community promoted and embraced awareness of testicular cancer.

Photo courtesy Poster Girl

Film and Media Studies, along with a few other departments premiered the academy award-nominated documentary “Poster Girl� at the Johnson Center cinema last Wednesday.

Q&A with Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker and star Ramy Zabarah Style Editor Film and Media Studies, along with a few other departments premiered the academy award-nominated documentary “Poster Girl� at the Johnson Center cinema Wednesday.

The ďŹ lm documents the struggle of an army Iraq war veteran, Robynn Murray, against her debilitating eects of war, including post-tramatic stress disorder.

Murray, along with the ďŹ lm’s director Sarah Nesson, sat down before the showing to express their thoughts and feelings.

Photo Courtesy of ULife Office of Technology Integration

Tes val takes a humorous approach to educa ng the students and faculty of George Mason University about tes cular cancer.

From Checkov to Wu-Tang A new school approach to an old school show Erin Powell Asst. Style Editor In a cutting-edge attempt to create a new and innovative type of performance art, the show “March of the Seagulls� was born. The performance interweaves dramatist Anton Chekhov’s play “The Seagull� with the story of a seagull king trying to create a new form of art to take over the world.

Directed by senior theatre major Chris Aldrich, “March of the Seagullsâ€? incorporates dance, theater, ďŹ lm, live music

and multimedia through movement-based theater. “The whole idea started out as a joke. Then we actually started having a good time with it,� said Aldrich. “I wanted to create an art form that combined everything I love.�

Among the musical inuences to the show are Pink Floyd, The Notorious B.I.G., Iron Maiden, Slayer and WuTang Clan. In addition to Chekhov, some of the theater inuences include playwrights Bertolt Brecht and Luigi Pirandello.

“I wrote [‘March of the Seagulls’], but it has become a collaborative eort among myself, the cast and crew,â€? said Aldrich. “I wanted a new thing that was dierent from anything that has been at Mason.

It gave us a chance to really break out of the box.â€? “March of the Seagullsâ€? will be shown in TheaterSpace, located in the ďŹ rst oor of the Performing Arts Building, from May 4–6 at 8 p.m. Tickets are free; however, donations are appreciated.

Why do you think “Poster Girlâ€? is an important ďŹ lm?

Sara Neeson: I think what’s really great about Robynn is that she personalizes PTSD. She’s making it palatable; she’s helping people understand what it’s like. I think there’s a huge disconnect between what veterans are really going through and what the media shows veterans going through.

And so for most people to get to see Robynn, it really helps them understand PTSD and therefore put a face to this horrible issue that we have in our country.

Robynn Murray: Given how many veterans are committing suicide — I think it’s 5,000 in a year, which is approximately 18 veterans a day — I think that the information that people are getting, with how we suer, with how I suered, it’s not really something that they can ignore anymore, having seen exactly what it does to a person.

It’s not just something that someone’s heard of. They don’t just think they know what it is. It’s very apparent after watching the ďŹ lm.

Sarah, in light of the ďŹ lm’s success, being chosen for so many festivals and nominated for an Academy Award, are you looking at any bigger projects in the near future?

SN: I’m still working on getting “Poster Girl� out there and distributing it and going on tour

with it, so that’s a big part of making a ďŹ lm. But I’m also developing other projects. Robynn and I are in development on a feature ďŹ lm that’s going to be an adaptation of “Poster Girl.â€?

Right now, we’re looking at screenwriters and so we hope to get that going. I also am working on a series I want to do on vets and PTSD to show what kind of programs are out there that are actually helping veterans in more comprehensive and intensive ways other than the [Veterans Aairs].

Robynn, what inspired you to enlist in the US Army at such an early age?

RM: I enlisted in October of 2003. I was in the early enlistment program for a few months before.

I think that I joined for the same reasons that every kid joins.

I had a family with a lot of military members in it. I didn’t have a lot of money. I was actually a non-contracted ROTC cadet at the time that I enlisted and I thought that had I been enlisted I would have made a better oďŹƒcer.

The laundry list goes on and on and on. I grew up in Niagara Falls, which is the Rust Belt. It’s very economically depressed.

There aren’t a lot of jobs. So an easy way to get a decent job is if you served in the military. I had been considering that even back then. It’s just a very complex mathematical equation.

What’s the worst part of living with PTSD? RM: The isolation you feel when no one understands you and when you feel like you come home to a society that doesn’t care about you anymore.

I remember being really frustrated, having no money and being disabled, and seeing people with yellow ribbon stickers that said “support your troops� and it’s like “Yeah, well what are you doing now?�

And it seems like people want to support the troops while they’re in and send care packages then, but what happens when you can’t be a soldier anymore? What happens to all the service members at

Walter Reed?

Sarah, why did you choose to document this subject in particular? How did you ďŹ nd Robynn?

SN: My dad was the one who really gave me the courage to go out and do something. I thought about some vets I knew who were making art from their uniforms.

It’s called the Combat Paper Project and they literally take their uniforms and they cut them up and pulp them to ďŹ ber and make all kinds of art.

I really should show what they’re doing — it’s so unique, it’s so healing. I just started ďŹ lming them and over the next year and a half I realized I was making a documentary.

And then I met Robynn and realized that she had a really powerful voice and she was about to go through the VA at the time and that was something I really wanted to show — the struggle dealing with this bureaucratic nightmare.

What do you hope audiences will take away from this ďŹ lm?

RM: Don’t ignore your veterans anymore. When you see the politicians or the people kind of using them for rhetoric in a campaign, ignore that. The best thing that has come out of this is when people ask me “What can we do to help?� and that’s the most I could have really ever hoped for.

If any good can come of it — if it eects legislation or if it helps start a program or a group home, if it keeps one veteran from killing [himself], that’s a good job. I’ll be happy with that.

SN: The ďŹ lm shows the consequence of war. We can’t blame terrorists for that. That’s totally on us.

We have a responsibility to take care of them not just when they’re over there but when they come home. Robynn’s story represents one of many who are really struggling right now.

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Monday, May 2, 2011 |

Mason Day in Photos Stephen Kine

Stephen Kine

Stephen Kine

Stephen Kine

Mason Day brough many events for students to enjoy, ranging from music, food, and entertainment.

Up against the wall Trio of musicians serenades Hampton Roads residents with ‘elevator jams’

Emily Sharrer Editor-in-Chief If you had a soundtrack to your life, what songs would appear on the playlist? What tune would be humming in the background as you woke up, walked

to class or made dinner? While there is generally no music to back our everyday lives like the characters we see in film, every once in awhile, students who live in Hampton Roads do get to have their very own movie moment thanks to a residential trio

press themselves musically and be a little more artsy,” said Alex Osipova, a sophomore biology major. Osipova, who first heard elevator jams while visiting her friend Olivia Karegeannes this past Valentine’s Day, is the selfproclaimed biggest fan of the trio.

“I feel like they do it to make people happy everyday,” added Karegeannes, a sophomore communication major.

The group’s main musical influences are Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson — but listeners only familiar with Johnson and Mraz’s radio hits shouldn’t be quick to judge, Wall says.

“With [Mraz] there’s so many different aspects of him,” said Wall, who is a converted Mraz fan. “He has the pop songs, but that’s only 10 percent really.”

“Personally I feel that people have this negative look on Mraz or just pop music,” said Band. “But I feel like what we play is more jazzy than [the Mraz songs] you’ve ever heard on the radio.”

Next year the elevator jams

will continue, though the locale will change due to the guys’ new digs. Band will be making a move to Liberty Square, Wall will be in Potomac Heights and Hughes will be a resident advisor in Presidents Park. The three have looked at the Johnson Center as a possible future location of elevator jams.

While Band, Wall and Hughes love to spend their time together spreading music to the George Mason University community, the three say that for them, music is more of a hobby than a long-term career.

“It’s kind of like painting or kind of like poetry, where in a sense it’s really hard to make a living off of it, but it’s not even about making a living off of it,” said Hughes. “It’s about doing it and expressing yourself and that’s kind of where we’re at. We do it because we love it.”

For the time being, the trio’s fans just hope the jams won’t stop.

“They should just keep doing what they’re doing,” Osipova said.

Free Tickets for Mason Students!

Mason Vocal Jazz: A Cabaret Evening Fri., May 6 at 8 p.m.

Free/Non-ticketed DL Mason Dance Company: May Concert May 6, 7 at 8 p.m. $ 15 adult, $10 senior, $7 student HT Limited Free Student Tickets Available Now School of Music Scholarship Benefit Concert Sun., May 8 at 7 p.m. $ 20 adult, $15 student/senior CH Limited Free Student Tickets Available Now Flutopia & Champagne Flutes Tues., May 10 at 8 p.m.

Free/Non-ticketed CH ppd

=Pre-performance Discussion

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Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Sat., May 14 at 8 p.m. $ 55, $45, $35, $25 CH Limited Free Student Tickets Available May 3 School of Music Honors Recital Sun., May 15 at 3 p.m.

Free/Non-ticketed HT

Have a Safe and Wonderful Summer Break!

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This group of students has come up with their own way to spread musical cheer to those around campus.

range from excited and appreciative to annoyed or confused.

On a good day for the guys, people will jump on the elevator and dance and request songs.

On a bad day people will avoid taking the elevator altogether if they catch a glimpse of the three with instruments in hand. More often than not, people do embrace the musicians.

Moreover, elevator jams, which started in January as a joke, has turned guitarist Band, melodica player Wall and djembe drum player Hughes into Hampton Roads icons.

“We got a lot of good reactions” on the first day, said Band.

“Eventually as we kept playing multiple elevators, people would recognize us and if they heard the music they’d just want to get on the elevator to listen.

Some people would stay on multiple floors even if their stop had passed just to keep listening to us.”

They’ve even picked up a few diehard fans along the way.

“I feel like Mason needs more people to come out and ex-

CENT

Photo By Gregory Connolly

of musicians.

The group, comprised of sophomores Sam Band and Jeremy Wall and senior Trevor Hughes, has started a musical project they call elevator jams.

Whenever they have spare time, the three veteran musicians hop on the elevator in their dorm and serenade riders with original songs written by Band or covers to make the ride go a little smoother.

“It’s to spread the joy of music really,” said Band, who classifies the group’s music as jazzy pop. “It makes people’s days. They usually say ‘thank you very much, you just made my day.’ That’s a quote we get all the time. I think that’s an amazing feeling to spread music.”

Lucky riders might even hear the threesome’s piece de resistance: the aptly-named “Elevator Jam,” in which singer Band improvises lyrics catered toward exactly what’s going on at that moment in the elevator.

“I really enjoy the reactions personally,” said Band, who says unsuspecting riders’ attitudes

7

20 YEARS 19

9 0 – 2 0 10

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Opinion Broadside

|

Monday, May 2, 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 Jeffrey Giorgi, Asst. News Editor Justin Lalputan, Opinion Editor Ramy Zabarah, Style Editor Erin Powell, Asst. Style Editor Cody Norman, Sports Editor Pat Carroll, Asst. Sports Editor Peter Flint, Photography Editor

Thumbs up to the school year almost being over. We can’t wait to enjoy the upcoming summer.

Benjamin Shaffer, Copy Editor Marine Jaouen, Copy Editor Jared Barrale, 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 Mason Day. Even though we complained about the bands, it still was a great experience and a lot of fun.

Thumbs down to finals coming up. Between papers and tests, our free time is completely gone.

Editorial Policy

Thumbs down to the weather we’ve been having recently. One second its rainy, the next it’s gorgeous. Mother Nature needs to make up her mind.

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.

The socialist parade on college campuses

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

The radical left and its presence at George Mason University

Hell on wheels Cyclists are a scourge on roads and pathways Benjamin Shaffer Copy Editor Living, as most of you do, in the City of Fairfax, you probably don’t have many reasons to traverse Rock Creek Parkway in the district.

It’s a lovely stretch of road, and if your excursions take you into the city, let me give my strongest recommendation to cruise the strip, even if it means going a little out of your way.

Its serpentine-like single lane runs from approximately the Lincoln Memorial to Connecticut Avenue, whereupon it is rechristened Beach Drive and continues northward another several miles.

It weaves through a wellpreserved vein of lush greenery.

The roadway itself gently twists and turns, rises and falls with the lulling nature of a hypnotist’s pendulum.

And where the city has deigned to do road maintenance, the road is smooth and hums as you fly over it.

At a touch over the sanctioned 40 mph, you feel like a racecar driver.

You will have yourself a merry old time — that is, until you get stuck behind some damn cyclist out for a spin.

You know the types: weekend warriors, dressed up in their too-tight bike outfits with the butt-shorts, looking like they think they’re Tron freshly escaped from the grid and training for the Tour de France.

But let’s never mind the duds.

What’s tiresome is the mere fact of their presence, not unlike a square peg being ever pounded in a round hole.

Onward they peddle, gleefully holding up traffic and bristling with indignant self-righteousness all the way — God, what insolent bastards.

The problem is that ours is a society that has evolved in such a way that no place for bicycles exists.

And where we do decide to create such space (infernal bike lanes), it is done at the expense of patient, law-abiding motorists who need to get somewhere on time.

But it’s not just the roadways. It’s the trails, too.

Go for a leisurely stroll along the GW Parkway footpath for any amount of time and they’ll come blasting psychotically by from behind at 80 mph — fip, fip, fip.

They won’t surprise you because they’ll be calling out to you from 50 yards back to move over so — heaven forbid — they don’t have to break their precious cadence.

Like they own the damn pathway.Which brings me to my point about bicycles, collectively.

You may think that they are for enjoyment or exercise, and no doubt they once were.

But they’ve since eclipsed such innocent pastimes.

Paired with the modern cyclist, bicycles have become a cudgel, meant for the truncheoning of motoring society in particular but society generally.

They’ve morphed into a symbol for holier-than-thou anti-establishmentarianism.

Their very essence now attracts the type of person who feels the need to stand apart and prove something to the world, everyone else be damned.

With the new campus bike shelters, bike lanes and the omni-present call to go green, we’d be well served by taking a step back and reminding ourselves what a bunch of arrogant twats are bicyclists, and what inanity this perennial campaign is likely to encourage.

Now, when it comes to making new laws, I take a page out of Thomas Paine’s playbook: “That government is best which governs least.”

Better we deal with life’s vexations ourselves than putting more regulations on the books.

However, I’m going to swallow my pride here and suggest that we get an investigative panel or task force together or form a committee and put a stop to this rampant Quaker-style nonsense.

Enough is bloody enough.

Whatever it takes to begin driving home an unfortunate new reality: The only good bike is a stationary one.

Alan Moore S E N I O R

Opinion

Columnist

Radicalism breeds on college campuses throughout the country. Extremism runs rampant and in almost every single instance, radical college groups come from the political left. But why?

To answer that question let’s look at our own microcosm of iconoclasm here at Mason.

The other day I was shocked to find a flier for the “Mason Socialists” while perusing a campus bulletin board.

On it they refer to themselves as “revolutionary” and “radical” socialists while pondering the question, “What would need to happen…to actually abolish capitalism?” It’s not just my opinion that these self-described socialists are radicals; they proudly offer that mantra themselves. The parent organization of this student group

liberties.” The Pride Alliance at Mason thought it prudent to recently sponsor a “drag show” which featured cross-dressing men dry-humping audience members. The list of examples continues on and on.

So back to the question at hand: Why does left-wing radicalism fester on college campuses?

It’s a tough question to answer. Perhaps professors are to blame. Left-wing propaganda is often spewed by faculty across the nation. College students are at a very impressionable time in their lives and easily corrupted.

The curriculum of many classes contains left-wing literature without any inclusion of conservative or even mainstream thought.

Maybe it’s because many young adults are trying to find their place in the world and are often without guidance. Others mistakenly believe their newly experienced freedom from their parents is tantamount to a feeling of superiority or arrogance.

Perhaps Winston Churchill had it right when he said, “If you’re not a liberal at 20 you have no heart, if you’re not a

conservative at 40 you have no brain.” Perhaps the reason why there are virtually no radical right-wing groups is because conservatives on campus have jutted ahead in their intellectual journey, bypassing silly notions of leftist follies. Maybe they understand how the world really works and have realized that it isn’t as bad as leftists make it out to be.

After a few years postcollege, formerly radicalized students usually realize the recklessness of their ways and lead normal lives. However, others can’t find a place for themselves in the community so they lash out or slink away into obscurity.

The good news is if you’re one of these people on the far left, there is hope. Just don’t let your hatred of society worsen.

Life is too short to fight pointless battles and represent awkward social positions. It’s time to come home and take some advice from your friends on the right: It’s better to be traditional and happy than bizarre and unaccepted. If you don’t now, eventually you’ll understand that premise. Trust me.

The new game room should be free for students to play So we have a new and pretty cool game room in Student Union Building II (which is now referred to as “The Hub,” even though the building signs haven’t changed.)

Either way, the first week or two that the new Corner Pocket was open, there was free game-play for the things they traditionally charge for. This was great, yet it didn’t last long.

I find it hard to believe that with subpar equipment the university has the audacity to charge its students $3 an hour to play ping pong and $5 an hour for pool.

Even though the fee isn’t much, it’s the principle. I would be fully supportive of a fee to play as long as the equipment is new and not held together by scotch tape, as is with the ping pong equipment. Yes, hard to believe, but most of the paddles are missing a piece of

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Submit your letter to the editor or artwork to: opinion@broadsideonline.com

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publicly states, “To achieve socialism, the most militant workers must be organized into a revolutionary socialist party.” So here at Mason we have a group that actively recruits militant members for purposes of a socialist revolution.

This misguided group of miscreants isn’t the first of its kind to tarnish this campus.

Students for Justice in Palestine are another such faction. They denounce the Jewish state of Israel, accusing them of war crimes, apartheid and occupation. They spit in the eye of the Israelis and their constant struggle to defend their Godgiven right to exist.

Another fringe Mason organization, the Animal Rights Collective, believes humans are nothing more than animals and real animals should have the same legal rights as humans. So under their belief system, the parents of your chicken nuggets could sue you for manslaughter.

It doesn’t end there, unfortunately. The Secular Student Alliance constantly mocks Christianity while hiding under the guise of supporting “civil

the handle or are covered in tape.

You would never buy a new car only to replace the parts with those from a used car. It makes no sense. So until they upgrade the ping pong equipment, it should be free play. Hell, it should always be free play. I pay enough in tuition as it is.

Those of us paying out-ofstate tuition are shelling out an outstanding $25,248 per year; Mason can’t let us use the game room for free?

I do understand that it costs money to build a new room, maintain the facilities, maintain the equipment (even though they don’t seem to maintain some of it) and pay the employees. Now that they’re charging, I’m sure there will be considerably fewer people using the Corner Pocket’s facilities than if it was free. Do

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

they really make that much money off of charging students to use the Corner Pocket that it makes a difference in subsidizing their expenses?

I contacted Ben Crandall, executive director of Student Centers, for comment regarding the gross income the university makes off of charging students for game room use. I did not receive a response by the time this article was written.

My guess is that in the long run it doesn’t make much of a difference. The game room being free would be a great benefit to the student body, and I believe it would increase student engagement. It would be worth it for them to eat a bit of the cost.

I would think Mason would want to encourage students to have a safe and fun environment to hang out in,

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.

especially considering the university’s strict alcohol consumption policies, at least in comparison to other universities I have friends at or have visited. Many students would agree. The Corner Pocket charging totally discourages that.

There are great events that Program Board, Weekends and the rest of Student Involvement holds for students to “hang out” at, but the game room is the one place that could become a regular and safe hangout for students ... if it were free.

Well, that’s it for the Weekly Rant till next year, Mason. There will be plenty more to come. Send me your ideas over the summer!

Shane T. Smith contributed to this article

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Broadside

Opinion

Monday, May 2, 2011 |

Don’t wait on the world

Mason Grads

If you want something to change, then change it

The university wants as much money as possible

Kristen Steve Opinion Columnist On any given day, if a student walks around George Mason University’s campus they are guaranteed to see advertisements promoting various different charity organizations or good causes.

Students typically do not pay any attention to these advertisements. They walk right past them without giving them a second thought.

Recently, I heard a conversation between two Mason students. One stated, “You shouldn’t go to the circus. They abuse the poor elephants.” The other student replied, “It makes me really sad that they do that to the elephants, but it won’t stop anything if I don’t go. So, I bought tickets anyway.”

This sort of scenario happens too frequently.

People are sympathetic to a cause, but they do nothing. They feel as if they will never make a change.

If everyone in the world had this mentality, imagine how much worse the world would be.

Quote

What people fail to realize is that change happens on a small scale. The power one individual has to positively affect another is exponential. People tend to forget this when they make decisions.

I know of a student who lost touch with one of her friends. After not speaking for awhile, the student decided that she wanted to rekindle the old friendship and go to a party.

This student let her old friend drive them home from the party after they had been drinking. Before the two were able to make it home the car hit a guardrail.

The student was killed on impact, but the friend who had been driving survived. It never seems fair when a young and healthy individual loses her life.

One careless and unpredictable decision was enough to bring about a tragedy.

People are like dominos. We are stacked incredibly close to one another and if one falls, the rest go down.

Often, people forget that their actions have consequences and that not only will they be inflicting these consequences on themselves, but they will be likely to affect everyone around them. For example, college students

often forget the consequences that unprotected sex can bring about. STDs and STIs spread at a rapid rate.

One run-in with one of these diseases may easily end a student’s opportunity to live a normal life. People who refuse to get tested and don’t want to accept that they are putting others at risk are selfish. It would only take one small step to ensure that they are not harming someone else.

Changing the world doesn’t happen overnight, but each and every individual who lives on this earth possesses the capability to change it.

Making a difference doesn’t mean you have to donate loads of money to a charity or volunteer all of your time on the weekends.

Making a difference can happen through the simplest of actions, such as opening a door for someone, not getting behind the wheel of a car when you know you’ve been drinking, being honest to your partner about your past or even picking up a piece of trash off of the sidewalk.

Every individual is capable of making a difference.

Stop waiting on the world to change.

Change it.

of the

Week: “I want people to believe in their dreams. Yes, you’re going to fail, but the Japanese have a proverb ... that means failure is the origin of success.”

—Chris Mayernik, AKA Golden Ninja

My

master’s

9

degree,

Brandon minster though, can only be conferred if G R A D S T u d e n t

Opinion

Columnist

It’s just a few weeks until graduation (or, if you’d prefer to signal your boorishness, commencement), and preparations are well underway. But no preparation is further along than George Mason University’s plan to extract every last cent from students on their way out the door.

In economics, payments that come to you because of some privilege are called rents.

When you try to accumulate more special privileges, your actions are called rent-seeking behavior. And no one knows more about rent-seeking behavior than the folks coordinating graduation.

I’ve received three letters addressed to my parents (although I have been independent from them for over 10 years) advertising diploma frames. Most diplomas have a landscape orientation. In fact, just about any stock diploma frame available is built that way. Mason diplomas, however, have a letter orientation.

If Mason diplomas were like all those others, you could pick up a diploma frame and mat at any office supply store.

But a hard-to-find, letter-oriented mat will probably have to come from the university’s official supplier.

Graduating in a black cap and gown is supposed to be a hallmark of completing university. Most schools leave the gimmicky colors where they belong: in high school ceremonies. The broad availability helps to lower costs, as more suppliers can be found. The gown in which I received my associate’s degree I later reused to receive my bachelor’s degree.

I wear a green robe. My wife’s college also used a non-standard color, but they recognized the burden it created for students and rented the robes for only a refundable deposit.

Mason does not rent bachelor’s or master’s robes.

Don’t think that you can spread the cost over more than one graduation, though. Should you receive both your undergraduate and graduate degrees from Mason, you will find the bachelor’s robe is not the same style as the master’s robe, and cannot be reused. You must buy two separate single-occasion gowns.

I have borrowed a master’s robe from a friend. He received his degree from Mason just two years ago. However, when I took a snippet of fabric to the bookstore to ensure uniformity, the color was just a tiny shade off from those now being required.

The manufacturer, design and school have not changed, but the rents are much higher when reuse is prohibited.

Rent-seeking behavior is rampant. This is the force behind children’s car seats having expiration dates. When our youngest child was born, a hospital worker had to come to my car and ensure the car seat was sufficiently new or I would not have been allowed to drive my son home.

More recently, Congress has enacted the mother of all rent-seeking legislation, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. This law raises the costs of toy retailing to prohibitive levels, covering even garage sales. Who benefits when the only toys for sale are new toys? No one but toy manufacturers.

Rent-seeking behavior is wasteful in that it produces nothing; it only seeks to profit from an artificial arrangement.

Mason should use standard diploma formats and graduation gown colors and designs, and stop seeking rents from graduating students.

10 |

Broadside

Monday, May 2, 2011

Opinion

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR In response to Moore’s ‘Flags at Mason’

The Circus Protests While the Ringling Bros. circus was preparing to visit George Mason University a few weeks ago, Mason’s Animal Rights Collective was preparing to protest. On ARC’s website, they display the signs and information they spread to circus patrons.

Adults and toddlers alike were showered with cries of “torture,” “death” and “abuse.”

Children too young to read colored in pictures of PETA propaganda, entitled “Animals belong in the jungle!”

However, let’s set aside the ethics of bombarding children with politically-charged coloring books and focus on the facts.

ARC held signs which read “Ringling on Trial for Animal Abuse.” It seems that ARC forgot the signs that read “…Almost a decade ago” and “Innocent until proven guilty.”

ARC waved pictures of young tigers and elephants at the crowd. But, can someone ex-

plain to me how grainy, close-up pictures are damning evidence against Ringling?

All context is cleverly cropped out of these pictures. It’s as if protesters think they shouldn’t have to be held to explaining the whens, wheres and whys. Their strategy to cage stuffed animals next to a sign that reads “cruelest” fails to make me sympathetic to their cause.

It seems that the best case that ARC can make to ban animal circuses from campus is that sometimes particular employees misuse their power. By that logic, I suppose we should also ban student-teacher relationships and all politicians.

Emily Owens Junior English

Alan does not understand I am writing in response to the April 18 editorial by Alan Moore who said, “college students are often so detached from reality they insist on fighting the most pointless battles.”

I would argue that this writer does not understand the point of a college education.

At its best, college provides the rare interlude when one is liberated from the intellectual constraints of parents and the local community, even as one is free of the coming constraints imposed by a job and a demanding career.

In this brief interlude, a brief flirtation with utopia, between the parochialism of family, or a specialized profession, a young adult can investigate and experiment with an array of new beliefs and new modes of behavior.

Perhaps above all, he or she can enjoy more than ever before, and in all likelihood never again, an environment that allows a large degree of personal exploration and personal honesty.

At its best, a college invites honesty. It en-

courages students to report on the exact quality of their experience, to express their most unconventional beliefs.

If the emperor is naked, they are the ones to shout forth the alarming news.

The normal fears of exposure and censure, the wide array of constraints — to please, to adjust, to gain status, to win promotion — abate just a bit, even on occasion in classrooms, but more often in dormitories or in various student interest groups.

The accusation that students are “bored” and embracing “meaningless endeavors” needs to be addressed by the undergraduates who are learning to think critically.

Best wishes to all at George Mason University (especially English and environmental science departments).

Nancy Bagwell Former Professor

The worldwide organ black market and its impact on thousands According to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, there are more than 110,000 individuals on the waiting list to receive an organ in the U.S. Last year, nearly 29,000 transplants were performed, but the waiting list grows longer every month by about 3,000 people.

These numbers mirror the huge discrepancy between available and needed organs in the country. As this is a question of life and death for many hoping to receive an organ, it leads to a situation where some people are willing to pay a very high price for a body part wherever it is available.

In our connected global world, people can often be found in various developing countries, fighting to survive on meager and irregular incomes. Vulnerable people are targeted and convinced that donating a kidney (the organ in highest demand) will not harm them and will bring them an attractive sum of money.

They become easy prey for organ-harvesting agents who choose not to tell the whole story.

The recipient typically goes to the country and gets care in a good hospital, while the donor does not get much care after the surgery.

Should treatment be needed for an infection and doctor visits, he has to take care of it on his own.

It does not need to be this way. There are measures that could be taken to supply organs in an orderly, volunteer-based market in the U.S. Today, to be listed as a donor, you have to opt in by checking a box on the form at DMV. What if it was the reverse? It would be anticipated that everybody is a donor, but if you don’t want to be, then you have to opt out by indicating so on the

form. This is called “presumed consent.”

This sounds like an insignificant detail, but reality proves otherwise. Psychologists Eric Johnson and Dan Goldstein have shown in an article in “Science” that the choice between the two is a major factor in comparing the consent rates in European countries.

For example, Austria and Germany are two countries with many similarities. In Austria the opt-out system is used and nearly everyone (99 percent) gives their consent. In Germany, where the opt-in choice is used, only 12 percent give consent to become an organ donor.

There is also another possibility, called “mandated choice,” where people are asked to indicate their choice when they renew their driver’s licenses. This has worked in Illinois since 2006, resulting in a 60 percent donor sign-up rate, compared with the national rate of 38 percent, according to Donate Life America.

There is not much we can do about the demand for organs, but as these examples show, we can do something about the supply. There are options available if the political will is there to enhance our self-sufficiency.

This would allow more people to receive the organs they so desperately need in order to live full and healthy lives, and it would also erase the black market for organs.

This is a win-win situation where the public health principle of securing circumstances for people to lead healthy and prosperous lives is honored.

Gertrud Bojo graduate student in Global Health

Being part of the George Mason University community has been a life-changing experience. In this diverse atmosphere I have established good relations with many faculty members and students, for whom I have a great amount of respect.

I have learned so many aspects of this diverse community, either through academia or through meeting individuals and organizations.

On the other hand, I have also met a handful of inimitable faculty members and individuals who have given me and our organization an unenthusiastic aspect of what this community stands for.

I am a Kurd and a member of the Kurdistan Student Organization. We have been an active student organization since 2006.

Despite our achievements as an organization, we have faced many obstacles in regards to our flag being displayed at Mason.

After many dialogues concerning the flag issues, the Office of International Programs and Services came up with guidelines for International Week. According to these guidelines, KSO is once again not allowed to display their flag.

KSO made a decision that enough is enough and we will raise awareness of this issue amongst the Mason community. Our decision came down to a peaceful protest.

Indeed, we protested and gained about 500 signatures from students in favor of our flag to be flown in a matter of three hours. Also, Student Government passed Resolution 21 unanimously in our favor as well.

Despite our success, we received some negative criticism. Especially from one particular individual named Alan Moore. He wrote a mean-spirited opinion article in Broadside essentially calling our protest meaningless.

The egotism displayed by Moore in his column “Flags at Mason” in the April 18 issue is insulting. I, as part of the KSO, would like to edify this individual and express my thoughts about his indecent comments.

With all due respect to Moore, I would beg to differ with the opinion stated in reference to our knowledge of our oppression. All Kurds know their history.

We have long endured suffering and oppression by tyrants and a majority of KSO members are, in fact, victims. If this was a matter of interest, Moore would have been inclined to ask before generalizing on matters that he indeed is unaware of.

We know the precise essence of discrimination and the epitome of living in an unjust world. With that said, I want to kindly state that not being able to display our flag in the Johnson Center is not the only injustice that we have faced but in fact the smallest degree of injustice.

However, it is these small issues that lead to bigger issues. I am guessing Moore has never lived in a state of injustice and cannot understand the concept.

We are in no way angry, but rather disgusted about the political game that’s being played at a university that supposedly praises diversity. By voicing our thoughts in a peaceful and smiling manner — or as Moore so kindly put it, in a “melodramatic” sense — does not in any spirit mean that we are a bunch of people bored out of our minds and have nothing better to do but protest.

The arrogance that’s portrayed in this article certainly shows utter insensitivity and lack of education.

In absolute respect to the unpleasant remarks made, if he indeed believes that this protest was an absurdity, then why base an opinion column on it?

If Moore claims that this issue was not of importance, then I suggest he try being a Kurd for a day.

His opinions aside, I would really care to understand the relevance of the vague concept of comparing the flag of more than 40 million people to a cartoon character.

I am completely disgusted that Moore can be insolent towards something that’s so valued by Kurds.

For future reference, my only advice would be to open your heart and let your heart open your mind, because arrogance comes at a great cost that simply generates hatred.

Naze Sindy Conflict Analysis and Resolution

Lalputan is wrong In response to Justin Lalputan’s article “Straight Edge on 4/20,” I was disappointed to read his unprovoked attack on marijuana users.

Lalputan’s article was a missed opportunity to discuss the impact of marijuana prohibition on students instead of referring to marijuana users as “addicted” or saying that they are “poisoning” their bodies.

I recommend that Lalputan and others research our current drug policies and marijuana studies because he appears to be grossly misinformed.

First, Lalputan says that “some facts, such as [marijuana’s] negative impact on lungs, are indisputable.”

I would refer Lalputan to the 15 states and the District of Columbia with legalized medical mari-

juana programs and countless studies proving the positive health effects of marijuana. Not one person has ever died from a marijuana overdose.

The war on drugs has sent millions of young people to jail for nonviolent victimless crimes. In 2009, over 850,000 citizens were arrested for marijuana-related activities.

Marijuana prohibition disproportionately targets African-Americans and Hispanics, sometimes at rates eight times that of whites. 4/20 is not only a day of celebration for stoners; it is a day to discuss the failure of marijuana prohibition.

Beckman Matthews President, Mason Fair Drug Policy Project

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Personal assistant needed to help in organization and prioritization of medical bills 703-499-8141 or 703-597-1206, willing to meet on campus this weekend

Fur-Get Me Not Pet Care is hiring PT dog walkers and pet sitters in DC and VA (must have reliable transportation). Great pay and tons of fun!

Apply at www.furgetmenot.com.

Child Care Sitters Wanted. $12+/hour.

Register free for jobs at student-sitters.com

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Sports

Broadside

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6

11

The number of NCAA tournaments new men’s basketball coach Paul Hewitt has reached while with Siena and Georgia Tech.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Off the court, Hewitt works with charities and volunteers his time to benefit those in need HEWITT, from Front Mason Athletic Director Tom O’Connor initiated the interest in Hewitt as a potential candidate, saying, “We reached out to see if there was any interest. Once we determined there was, we began talking to [Hewitt].”

O’Connor had gotten to know Hewitt over the last few years while Hewitt served as an active member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches and O’Connor was on the men’s basketball NCAA tournament selection committee.

“As a member of the committee, I had an opportunity to watch him coach practice one day,” O’Connor said. “I practically sat on his bench during a game. And I really liked what I saw.”

While he was a coach at Georgia Tech, Hewitt played a key role as a member of the Atlanta community.

“He has a great sense of being a basketball coach,” O’Connor said. “But he also has a great sense of life.”

He conducts an annual golf outing and auction to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Atlanta. He serves on the board of directors for Hearts Everywhere Reaching Out for Children, which organizes activities and benefits HIVinfected children. He also volunteers time with Camp

Twin Lakes, which works with children with serious illnesses and special needs.

“I know he feels very deeply about the causes that he is involved in,” O’Connor said. “That is not just for show. And I would expect that he’ll continue that [in Fairfax].”

Hewitt has been equally successful with his contributions to teams on the court, as well.

He received the Fritz Pollard Coach of the Year award by the Black College Coaches Association and was listed at No. 71 among the nation’s 101 top minorities in sports by Sports Illustrated. Only 15 individuals within the collegiate ranks, and only four men’s basketball coaches, made that list.

He was named ACC Coach of the Year (2001), MAAC Coach of the Year (2000), BCA National Coach of the Year (2004) and appeared in six total NCAA tournaments.

But, at age 47, Hewitt was fired from Georgia Tech on March 12, making him a free agent for the first time in 14 years.

“He told us if he was going to stay in coaching, then he wanted it to be a program where he knew he could be successful in,” O’Connor said in an interview with CAAsports.com. “Like ours.”

Photo Courtesy of flickr user geeknerd99

Former Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewi will replace Jim Larranaga as head coah of Mason’s men’s basketball team.

IN THE ZONE What do we really know about Hewitt?

Cody Norman Sports Editor All I have seen on Facebook and Twitter and everything that I have heard from students on campus portrays new coach Paul Hewitt as the savior of George Mason men’s basketball.

Comments of “Great hire!” and “Is anyone else as pumped up about hiring Paul Hewitt as I am?” filled the Tweetosphere on Saturday, shortly after Mason Athletic Director Tom O’Connor announced that Hewitt would be the new coach of the Patriots.

And there isn’t anything wrong with that. In fact, it is great to see the incredible amount of support for coach Hewitt coming from the student body.

But how much do we really know about this guy?

Unless you are a fan of Georgia Tech – though that is highly unlikely – you probably don’t know a whole lot about Hewitt other than the fact that he is our new guy.

Allow me to fill in a few holes for you.

Hewitt was fired from Georgia Tech in March after another year in which his program underachieved.

However, numerous media outlets in Atlanta claim that the decision to release Hewitt was made for three different reasons: 1) As there is with everything in this day in age, there were financial issues involved.

The Yellow Jackets are preparing

to move into a new, refurbished arena in 18 months and a decline in basketball revenues, stemming from a drop in ticket sales, would have spelled trouble for the program.

2) Hewitt did not respond well to criticism. From students, fans and especially from the media. He fell into a common trap and engaged in a Twitter war last year with critics. Members of the media respected his loyalty to the players, as he always came to their defense. But his actions apparently backfired.

3) Perhaps the most intriguing reason was what Atlanta media called the “irritant side.” He was perceived as extremely arrogant and dismissive in public, though people close to him say he is one of the nicest and classiest men around. One particular Atlanta journalist wrote, “I told him on a few occasions he was one of the most paranoid individuals I had ever met. His response often was along the lines of, ‘The world is out to get me.’”

And, possibly the dagger in all of this, “The problem wasn’t merely a lack of belief that Hewitt could fix the problems — it was a lack of belief that he could rally the fan base into believing he could fix the problems.”

That would be an extreme change of pace for the Mason community. Jim Larranaga did a lot of things for Mason; one of which was using the fan base to create an atmosphere that showed students that the bas-

O’Connor knocks one out of the park with Hewitt hire

ketball team is an extension of the student body.

With all of that being said — and I apologize for the negativity involved in all of that — I do want to shine light on the fact that coach Paul Hewitt is a genuine individual.

He volunteers his time and serves on the board of numerous health-promoting organizations. He hosts an annual golf tournament to support children with lymphoma and leukemia.

He has proven that he is an outstanding human being.

His focus on high-energy defense and transition offense could do wonders for our basketball team. Mason’s defense was one of the best in the nation last season and, Hewitt’s schemes likely will not allow that to change.

But their offense was based very much on a half court set, not allowing guards — and particularly Cam Long — to get out in transition and score the basketball.

Hewitt’s offensive scheme allows for a lot of shot attempts.

And at the rate the Patriots shoot the basketball, fans could be in for some very high-scoring basketball games next season.

As it is with everything else, winning will breed a supportive atmosphere; thus, eliminating all of the criticisms Hewitt was subject to in Georgia.

Welcome to the family, coach Hewitt.

GOING, GOING, GONE After the weekend excitement of the NFL Draft, officials declare the lockout back on, effective immediately.

GREAT CALL, BLUE Former Georgia Tech basketball coach Paul Hewitt accepted to become new coach of Mason basketball.

WALK IT OUT Blaise Fernandez walkoff double in ninth inning tied school record for doubles in a game.

HIGH STRIKE Mandissa Marshall set a new school record in the pole vault, clearing 4.00 meters to win the Penn Relays this weekend.

STICK A FORK IN ‘EM Mason athletics went a combined 3-7 this week with two of those wins coming from the last placed baseball team.

Please join us!

Do you enjoy rehashing the most interesting plays in a game?

Discover great products that support artisans all over the world.

Eco-friendly gifts from every continent Create your own care package Tree-free stationery, journals, albums, frames Unique dorm decor, textiles, hand-dyed yarn, throws Handmade artisan jewelry, bags, scarves, and accessories Organic bath and body products Toys, games, books, world music CDs, musical instruments Organic tea, coffee, unique chocolate, cocoa, baking and soup mixes

Have you always wanted to meet the players in their element?

Fair Trade Winds great products greater impact

Do you like writing and editing?

Then you might be interested in joining the Broadside sports staff for the fall semester!

Contact Cody Norman at cnorman2@masonlive.gmu.edu to learn how.

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An easy walk from GMU. Free parking in adjacent garage off of University Drive & Chain Bridge Road.

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FACES in the

CAthletes ROWD of the Year

Sports

CHRIS CARRINGTON INDOOR TRACK Chris Carrington finished sixth in the 800 meters at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships with a time of 1:50.03.

The sophomore posted the fourth-best time in the nation with a time of 1:47.30 in the 800 meters during the indoor season, making him eligible for the NCAA Championships.

Carrington became the first individual All-American since 2007 when Ryan McCoy was named an All-American in the triple jump.

Carrington and the George Mason men’s 4x400 relay team finished 10th in the event.

Courtesy of gomason.com

OMOLYN DAVIS

CAM LONG

WOMEN’S SOCCER

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Courtesy of gomason.com

The senior leader of the men’s basketball team had a phenomenal season, leading the Patriots to the best record in school history and an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Cam Long led the Patriots in scoring (15.1 points per game), steals (47) and minutes played (33.0 minutes per game) in his senior campaign.

Despite losing to the No. 1 overall Ohio State Buckeyes in the third round of the tournament, Long was catalyst for the team on both ends of the floor.

According to NBADraft.net, Long is the 84th overall prospect and could be selected in June’s NBA Draft.

ASHLEY DANNER

Courtesy of gomason.com

MAUREEN MCAULIFFE

SWIMMING & DIVING Junior Ashley Danner finished third in the 100-yard breaststroke and seventh in the 200-yard breaststroke at the NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships in Austin, Texas.

The two events are her best as she won All-American honors in both this season as well as last season. In the 100-yard breaststroke, Danner finished with a time of 59.23 and time of 2:08.52 in the 200-yard breaststroke.

Along with her personal accolades, Danner led the George Mason women’s swimming and diving team to 33rd in the national team rankings.

In her two seasons in Fairfax, Omolyn Davis provided the women’s soccer team with a spark that they had not seen in a long time.

In the fall, Davis scored 10 goals and added nine assists as she led the women’s soccer team to the CAA Tournament semifinals.

She is the top-15 in school history in goals, assists and points. Selected 10th in the Women’s Professional Soccer Draft in March, Davis was the highest selected CAA player in Women’s Professional Soccer history.

ROWING The senior rowing team captain received First Team All-CAA recognition for the second consecutive year and led her varsity eight to a fifth place finish at the CAA Championships.

Maureen McAuliffe helped her varsity eight to a victory in the Occoquan Chase and the fastest time at the Philadelphia Frostbite Regatta. The former freshman walk-0n was invited to the U-23 National Team camp and dreams of participating in the 2o16 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Courtesy of gomason.com

Courtesy of gomason.com

Baker Tilly congratulates our graduating 2011 new hires.

Class of 2011 New Hires Kwon Choi Ron Vera Polya Yancheva

Offering careers with interesting and challenging opportunities is what makes Baker Tilly one of the nation’s top accounting and advisory firms. Giving you the chance to become and exceptional leader is what sets us apart.

Connect with us: bakertilly.com

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