Nov. 8 issue by Student Media George Mason University

Schick named Mason one of the cleanestshaven schools in the country. Find out why, and check out Broadside’s picks for the best ways you can style your facial hair for No Shave November! Pg. 5

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

November 8, 2010

Volume 87 Issue 10

District 11 election still undecided Connolly has slim lead; Fimian has not conceded, could request recount under Virginia law

Professor dismissed after child porn allegation Mason Italian professor to face charges in Washington for allegedly possessing child pornography Adam Sylvain C2M Senior News Editor

Photo By Gregory Connolly

Supporters of Republican Keith Fimian react to an updated vote count Tuesday at the Mason Inn. Fimian gathered with his supporters to wait for the result of the elec on; he kept a lead as the ﬁrst precincts reported, but as the night wore on, Connolly took the lead.

Gregory Connolly News Editor After a long campaign season rife with television ads and roadside signs along what seemed like every road in Fairfax County, the election is over, though it is unclear whether incumbent Democrat Gerry Connolly or Republican Keith Fimian won. The election – which was too close to call Tuesday – found Connolly to have a lead around 1,000 votes when all was said and done. Fimian has yet to concede, and under Virginia law, he may request a recount. Fimian, who rented conference space at the Mason Inn Tuesday to await the results of the election with his supporters, apparently lost what was a rematch of the 2008 general election for Virginia’s District 11. This district encompasses most of Fairfax County and part of Prince William County. Other Northern Virginia congressional districts include the 10th, which runs from Front Royal to Manassas, and the 8th, which includes the entirety of Arlington County in

addition to part of Fairfax County. In what turned out to otherwise be a good election for Northern Virginia incumbents, 30-year Republican Congressman Frank Wolf was re-elected to represent District 10, and Democrat James Moran, who has represented the 8th district since 1991, will continue to serve. Hundreds of Fimian’s followers gathered in front of a live stream of Fox News to wait for the results of District 11’s election. With each announcement of a Republican victory in Virginia, the crowd would cheer. Fimian maintained a lead over Connolly as the initial precincts reported, but as the night wore on, Connolly pulled even. The race has yet to be called. “What you’re witnessing is a change of history, a tidal wave, a tsunami,” said retired Fairfax County police oﬃcer Curtis Staﬀord in reference to news that Republicans were poised to seize control of the U.S. House of Representatives. He stood near the front of the crowd throughout the night. “People have had enough of [Democratic leadership].”

As it became clear that District 11 was going to be very close, Fimian took the stage and addressed his supporters. He was then presented with a framed copy of the Declaration of Independence by his family members. “Elections are only part one,” said Dean Rutley, a Fimian supporter at the gathering. “The key from my perspective as a grassroots Republican is what kind of leadership team is the incoming Republican majority?” On the day of the election, George Mason University’s student government put on a vote van service, which ferried students to the polls at Wilbert Tucker Woodson High School. The vans, which were taken from the university van pool, were driven by volunteers. “Turnout was really good,” said David Bier, the chairman of the University Services Committee for student government. “We probably had 30 people.” Funding for the vote vans came from student government’s coﬀers.

See ELECTION, Page 3

The part-time Italian language instructor, arrested last week on charges of alleged child pornography possession, has been dismissed by George Mason University, according to University Spokesman Dan Walsch. “He is no longer employed at the university,” Walsch said Friday. Diego Fasolini, 42, who is also a part-time Italian instructor at George Washington University, was arrested Oct. 28, on the GW campus by D.C. Metropolitan Police. GW staﬀ led police to ﬁnd more than 100,000 images of suspected child pornography on an external hard drive owned by Fasolini, according to court documents. Mason Police said they are not conducting their own investigation into Fasolini. Maj. George Ginovsky said, “We have no investigation.” Fasolini was scheduled to appear in D.C. District Court Tuesday, but the hearing was rescheduled for Thursday because Fasolini’s public defender, Mary Petras, did not attend, according to The GW Hatchet. Thursday’s hearing was then also postponed until next week, according to The Hatchet.

The Hatchet reports Fasolini continues to be held without bond. At Tuesday’s originally scheduled hearing, The Hatchet learned Fasolini is not a U.S. citizen, and declined his right to notify his home country’s consulate that he had been arrested. C2M has reached out to Petras for comment, but has yet to hear back. According to a student in Fasolini’s Mason Elementary Italian class, students received an e-mail from Fasolini Oct. 27, saying he had lost his voice and class was canceled. Then when students arrived to class Oct. 29, Fasolini did not show up, according to the student. On Nov. 1, students arrived to class to ﬁnd Kristina Olson, an assistant Italian professor, leading a short 15-minute lecture. On that same day, Walsch said Fasolini’s classes were being covered after the university had learned of his situation. C2M has reached out to Fasolini for comment, but has yet to hear back.

Story taken from Connect2Mason

Cyber bullying: recent cases at Mason raise concern There are options for members of the Mason community who feel they are being bullied Antonieta Rico Crime Beat Reporter Cyber bullying made national headlines recently after it was said to be the cause of the suicide of Rutgers student Tyler Clementi. Like most universities, George Mason University is not immune to the bullying problem. Two recent reports to the Mason police department Involved threats against students made through the internet. One case involved a student who was receiving threats through Twitter

and the other was a case of a student receiving death threats through Facebook, according to Maj. George Ginovsky, assistant chief of police. “[Cyber bullying] makes people more vicious, often,” said Kenton Johnston, a junior and the publicity chair of the Mason chapter of Pride Alliance, a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning student organization. He said cyber bullying can be worse than normal bullying because students who are being bullied often don’t know who is

targeting them. “People are terrible online,” Johnston said. He said he stopped frequenting certain online forums because of the bullying he experienced against members of the LGBTQ community. His bullying, however hasn’t always been online. He said that growing up he was constantly bullied throughout elementary school, middle school and high school. “The ﬁrst real bully I had in elementary school came up with some really creative, outlandish insults,” Johnston said. He said

that compared to his bullying in elementary school, other insults were not as cutting. “When people called me gay or said I had long hair or looked like a girl, that was nothing.” He said those new insults seemed minimal. “It was just stupid so I just brushed it oﬀ,” Johnston said. For the most part Johnston had to face bullying in school without any help from adults. According to Johnston, his school administrators never did anything to stop the bullying. “I

mean there is only so much they can do, but they didn’t even do that.” As a student at Mason now, Johnston said that he has found more acceptance on campus. “Mostly around here people are really accepting or they keep it to themselves,” Johnston said. “It’s a pretty safe place.” Mason is looking at strengthening its current policies to make people more aware of the issue of bullying and cyber bullying, said Dan Walsch, Mason’s press secretary.

“This is an important issue to all of us,” Walsch said. “The university is doing everything they can do to stay on top of it.” “Mason is responding in the aftermath of the heightened media attention to anti-LGBTQ bullying, and it’s potentially devastating consequences, in several ways,” said Ric Chollar, associate director for LGBTQ resources at Mason, in an e-mail.

See BULLYING, Page 3

Spending a few minutes with Mason President Alan Merten Merten discusses his accomplishments, outlines goals for the university Gordon Day Broadside Correspondent Broadside recently sat down with George Mason University President Alan Merten to talk about several different topics including his job and the extension he was recently awarded by the Board of Vistors. Q: What exactly does your job entail? A: I have overall responsibility for the $900 million a year budget, personal responsibility for 33,000 students, 6,000 faculty and staff and multiple campuses. I work on and off campus to support the community around Mason. I am pretty much responsible for everything here. The good, the bad and the ugly. Q: How long have you been at Mason, and how would you describe your experiences? A: I started here July 1, 1996. What we have been able to accomplish has exceeded my expectations. What we have done and what we have become known for is incredible. It has been very productive. Q: What is your favorite aspect of being the

president of a university? A: To see others succeed. I feel I am doing something that helps others succeed and brings attention to the grandiose things that people have accomplished. When you are a professor, you get something out of personally accomplishing things. When you become administrative staﬀ, you shift from doing things to helping others accomplish things. And that is what I do here. Q: What goals do you have for the next few years? A: Over the years, we have created intellectual infrastructure, with faculty, staﬀ, students, organizational infrastructure, and of course, physical infrastructure with new buildings. We need to continue to increase the infrastructure and leverage it. We are moving from a heavy emphasis on building to using our infrastructure to create more for the community and world. Q: What problems do you foresee being an issue in the next few years? A: One of the most fundamental issues is size. We continue to grow in size and quality of the student body. The demand for Mason is also increas-

ing. If the Virginia commonwealth is not willing to allow us to keep growing, we will not grow. It is a question of whether our political leaders are willing to pay for growth in higher education. Another aspect of it is that Mason is a great teaching and research institution. We have people who can do it. It is simply a question of financial support. Q: Do you have any thoughts on the extension of your contract with the university? A: When my wife and I came here, we expected to be here a while. After the first few years, we got inquiries to go to other places to do similar things, and we realized we liked it here. The current contract was to end June 30, 2011, and the Board of Visitors decided to extend it to 2013. What happens before, at and after will be decided later. But the best is what is to come. We have opened a 148 room hotel and created 157 townhouses in Masonvale. We are not stopping for anything. Q: Are there any plans for a varsity football team at Mason? A: We run the university in a business-like fashion. Things have to make sense financially, and football is a bad idea financially. The last time we

Photo By Peter Flint

University President Alan Merten looked at it, we would have needed a $15 million gift from a private donor. We would also have to charge students $500 a semester in order to support the program, and because of the requirements of Title 9, we would have had to drop a men's sport as well. There are about 20 universities in the country that make money or break even with their football programs. All the rest lose money. It just does not make ﬁnancial sense to have a football team.

News Event Calendar Monday, Nov. 8

Broadside

The number of years Alan Merten has been president of George Mason University.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Keeping up with the resident advisors RAs discuss their jobs; talk about maintaining a balance between work and school Brenda Shepard

Organization Skills Workshop SUB I, Room 3129 1:30 - 3 p.m.

Broadside Correspondent

Vision Speaker Series: Bill Schneider Center for the Arts, Concert Hall 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 9 Space Sciences Semiar: Vladimir Truhlik Science & Technology I, Room 306 Noon - 1 p.m. Speak Up or Pay Up! Johnson Center, Cinema 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 10 Farmers Market Southside Plaza 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Mason Cable Network After-Launch Event King David Hall, Room 1011 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 11 Veteran's Day Luncheon Center for the Arts, Concert Hall Lobby 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Scheduling & Time Management Workshop SUB I, Room 3129 1:30 - 3 p.m.

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

Nov. 1

POLICE FILES Theft From Building Aquia Building Complainant stated a GMU laptop was stolen by person(s) unknown. Loss estimated at $1,927.90. (23/Brownell)

Nov. 2

Theft From Building Research I Complainant stated that person(s) unknown stole their unattended iPhone. Loss estimated at $200. (24/Ewald) Medical Assist SUB I A GMU student was transported to the hospital for further evaluation. (24/Ewald)

Nov. 3

Theft From Building Fenwick Library Complainant stated that person(s) unknown stole their unattended laptop and various items. This case is under investigation. (24/Ewald) Harassment HQ A student is concerned by the threats they have been receiving from a former significant other who has been harassing them. (44/Rindell) Medical Assist SUB I GMUPD resopnded to Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) for a medical assist. Victim was transported home by family. (45/Arnold)

Nov. 4

Threats in Writing Hanover hall Lindsey Delegge, 18 (GMU student), of Richmond, VA was arrested for the above charges and transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center where she was held on $1,000 secured bond. (50/Issa) Hit & Run Parking Lot R Complainant reported damage to their unoccupied parked vehicle, caused by an unknown vehicle. Damage estimated at $400. (20/Brudvig) Larceny Johnson Center Victim reported their black Apple iPod touch was stolen. Loss estimated at $400. (45/Arnold)

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

Students screaming down the halls, playing loud music at all hours of the night, running rampant around campus. This is what life might be like if there was no one keeping things in order. This is why we have resident advisors. Too often, students do not appreciate the services and security that the many RAs on campus provide, including maintaining order, hosting hall get-togethers and being a mediator in times of interpersonal conflict. “I love being able to help people,” said Missy Isaacs, a senior English major and returning RA in Liberty Square. “It’s great for person-to-person interactions.” Isaacs has had plenty of experience with students. One of the strangest things she has seen during rounds? “Residents smoking hookah in their room with the door open,” she said. “I couldn’t believe it.” There is at least one RA placed on each floor of every residence hall on campus, with the exception of the student apartments, where there is one RA per building. Michelle Hughes is a senior global affairs major and a first year RA in Dominion Hall. She said she has learned to balance her life, classes and RA responsibilities. “[The] first and foremost priority is that I’m a person, then a student and then an RA,” Hughes said. “Student and person come first, though they trust me to balance my duties as an RA or else I wouldn’t have been hired.” RAs go through a weeklong training period that includes explanations of protocol and other situational issues. Because RAs work so closely with students, they are required to be prepared for many different situations. “Training to be an RA was intense. They very believably reenact any situation you could encounter. It was everyday for a full week for at least eight hours a day. Close to 60 hours of train-

Photo By Gregory Connolly

RAs Marcus Wyche, a senior majoring in computer science, and Breauna Johnson, a senior majoring in communica ons, perform rounds early Sunday morning in Shenandoah. ing,” Hughes said. “We have such a strong support system that I’ve never felt unable to handle a situation … with all our official shifts laid out, we are here as a resource to students 24/7 regardless of shift or not.” RAs also have continued agency throughout the semester, including the required University 300 class. This class is designed to help support RAs and build community among their numbers. Isaacs said she puts in around 20 hours each week, depending on what she has to get done for her floor. “Some weeks we make new bulletin boards or decorations so that would be more hours,” she said. Students say that their experiences with their RAs have for the most part been positive. “There are two types of people in this world: those that lead by example and those that let the power get to their head. The former seem to be good RAs,” said Julie Huffman, a senior double major in conflict analysis and resolution and global affairs. “They give you

every opportunity to thrive and be your own person while also maintaining balance on the floor.” Isaacs suggests that one of the best lessons she has learned from becoming an RA is “knowing that I’m part of a team. If I don’t put in my whole effort then it hurts the community.” “As a returning RA, I am able to help the new RAs and really be there for them,” Isaacs said. “It’s like a little RA family.” Having so much responsibility as well as being a student can be stressful for many RAs, but being able to balance these responsibilities is part of the job. “Being an RA is a constant responsibility, whether or not I have final exams tomorrow, an emergency in the family or extracurricular commitments,” said Jack Hardy, a second semester RA and junior accounting major. “Although we are students first and resident advisors second, our residents will perpetually have needs and issues. Furthermore, we are role models on and off the floor and must constantly be accountable for our actions.”

There is a strong call from RAs for students to communicate what they want to do for floor activities. After all, it is the students’ housing money that is being spent on these events. “We have a fund, which comes out of the money you pay for housing,” Isaacs said. “That’s why it’s really important to let your RA know what you want to do because it’s really your money that’s being spent.” “We are required to get 15 percent of our residents to attend CORE programs [programs based on community, opportunity, reflection or environment] and 25 percent of our residents to attend our social events,” said Hardy. “However, there is some flexibility in the attendance requirements for our programs and we are encouraged to create more than three programs to build community on our floors.” For students who are thinking about applying to become an RA, Isaacs offers some advice. “Do it. It’s the best experience you’ll have in college. You meet some amazing people and it will stick with you forever.”

Chevy Volt tour comes to Mason Students get chance to try out extended-range electric car Gregory Connolly News Editor In order to publicize the newest addition to the Chevrolet ﬂeet, representatives have been traveling throughout the country demonstrating the Chevy Volt, an extended-range electric car. The latest stop? George Mason University. The Volt has a 25-50 mile range when it is running on electricity. There is also an onboard, gas-powered generator that charges the battery and allows for an additional 300 miles of travel. The car will be available at some dealerships – including the District of Columbia – by the end of the year. Representatives from Chevrolet were at Mason Tuesday to help students who wanted to test drive one of the several Volts. Douglas Wernert, a Chevrolet Volt communication technician on hand for the drive, said that all the Volts that will be produced in the next year have already been sold. The Volt is a sedan that in-

Photo By Gregory Connolly

A representa ve from Chevrolet talks to students Tuesday about the Volt, an extended-range electric car that will hit the market by the end of the year. cludes everything that comes with a standard car such as air conditioning and a radio. Wernert said the Volt is

geared toward consumers who are “more green.” More information on the Volt is available at:

www.Chevrolet.com/volt, www.facebook.com/chevroletvolt and www.chevroletvoltage.com

Broadside

News

Monday, November 8, 2010 | 3

Peta2: Mason among top schools for vegan cuisine in U.S. Mason Dining seeks student input in the vegan and vegetarian options on campus Yasmin Tadjdeh C2M Senior News Editor The dining options at George Mason University recently had Mason named one of the top vegan schools in the country by Peta2.   The Most Vegan-Friendly College competition, sponsored by Peta2, has been going on for a few weeks now.   Regional District Manger of Sodexo Denise Ammaccapane was contacted earlier this month and told about Mason’s placement in the top 32 universities for the “Large U.S. School” category.   The competition, according to Ammaccapane’s knowledge, was based off of recommendations, and she suspected the Mason recommendations came from two students who had visited chef Peter Schoebel’s office last semester.   “Evidently, two female students were in chef Peter’s office last spring asking about vegan/vegetarian [options]. ... Well, I guess they were happy because they must have submitted [Mason].”   Peta2 posted this about Mason on their website:  “Prospective students wanting to be within a stone's throw of the U.S. capital and within arm's reach of delicious vegan food – look no further. Within the past year, GMU has really kicked its vegan offerings into high gear, in direct response to negotiations and discussions with students. Starting this fall, the school is offering a host of new dishes. Try the latest craze on campuses nationwide by digging into some vegan mozzarella cheese pizza, straight out of the oven. Looking for hearty meal on the go? Pile

on the vegan deli slices at the din“If you need ing-hall sandwich [something] and station, and finish we can get it, it all off with some creamy vegan ice we’re going to get cream from the it, [and] if we dessert bar.”   can’t we’ll tell Mason has had vegan options you why we can’t all along, accordget it.” ing to Ammaccapane. However, she still hopes to improve the menu -Denise Ammaccapane, rethrough contact gional district manager of with students.  Sodexo “[Vegan options are] one of those things that we are constantly trying to add more things [to]. For instance, we have had two meetings with the Environmental Action Group, [some are] vegan and vegetarians, so we’ve had two meetings and we’ve decided that we are going to meet ... every two weeks,” Ammaccapane said.   Ammaccapane hopes this interaction with dining will provide students with a variety of healthy options that fits everyone’s diet and preferences.   “This way [we say] ‘Hey, come tell us what we can do better. If you are buying local, is that a concern, what are the items you are looking for so that we can make sure to bring them in.’”   This type of student-to-administration interaction is important to Ammaccapane because no one

Photo By Jenna Beaver

George Mason was recently selected as one of the top universi es in the country for vegan dining by Peta2. within the dining oﬃce is vegan or vegetarian, making it diﬃcult to rely solely on employee preferences and concerns.   “If you need [something] and we can get it, we’re going to get it, [and] if we can’t we’ll tell you why we can’t get it,” Ammaccapane said.   The competition, which is based on votes from readers, couples schools together and has them com-

pete for votes against each other. Mason went against the University of Maryland and was eliminated in the ﬁrst round.

Story taken from Connect2Mason

Student government encourages students to ‘Speak Up or Pay Up’ Virginia delegates to participate in forum on educational budget cuts Gordon Day Broadside Correspondent Virginia Delegates Bob Marshall, Charniele Herring, Vivian Watts, Scott Lingamfelter and Tom Rust will be at the Johnson Center Cinema Tuesday at 6 p.m. for Speak Up or Pay Up, a forum for the discussion of educational budget cuts. “We want students to have an oppor-

tunity to engage in direct conversation and to advocate for lower tuition,” said communication major Nathan Dorfman, a George Mason University senator. “Once the delegates know who we are, they will be more likely to help us,” said Melissa Jackson, another Mason senator. In 2011, SB720, a bill which would authorize universities to “charge either a

ﬁxed tuition or a variable tuition based on ability to pay,” will be presented to the Virginia General Assembly, according to the Virginia General Assembly website. Higher education has been a part of many of the delegate’s platforms, Dorfman said. Both Delegates Watts and Rust believe in making in-state universities accessible to Virginia students. Rust is

“leading the fight to make in-state universities affordable and accessible for Virginia students,” according to his official website. Watts “believes a portion of any tuition increase should always go into increasing the financial assistance available to students,” according to her official website. The forum will consist of two segments. In the first half, members of the

student government will ask delegates to answer a prewritten question within a certain amount of time. In the second half, the floor will be opened up to students and staff. “If the event is successful, we will plan an official lobbying day for students in February,” Dorfman said. The event will also be catered, with food provided afterwards.

Student government hosts vote van service on Election Day; students discuss ramifications of election

Photo By Gregory Connolly

Mason students board a vote van to go to the polls on Elec on Day. The vans le every 20 - 30 minutes from the North Plaza.

ELECTION from front

Photo By Gregory Connolly

A voter casts his ballot at Wilbert Tucker Woodson High School in Fairfax County. Mason’s student government hosted a vote van service which ferried students to the polls for free on Elec on Day.

It ended up costing $521.50, with more than half of that going toward gas. “We really want to get students involved,” Bier said. “Most of us are government majors and we understand the democratic process. It’s important for students to go out and become a part of that process that elects leaders who take the city and state into the future.” Freshman communication major Michael Jordan is a volunteer driver who made the run to

the high school precinct several times, said he thought the vote van service was a success. “A lot of the people I’ve driven wouldn’t have been able to ﬁnd rides,” Jordan said. “The groups have all had diverse opinions about the possible upcoming changes.” Sophomore communication major Brittany Passmore rode the vote van to vote. “I think the vote vans are extremely convenient since a lot of students don’t have cars but they want to have a voice in government,” Passmore said.

Mason offers several choices to those who feel bullied BULLYING from front He said the university created two groups, one which is responsible for looking specifically at cyber bullying and increasing awareness of the issue. He said the other group is the LGBTQ Campus Climate Task Force, which will assess the environment on campus for the LGBTQ community. “This group will propose steps Mason should take in becoming even more safe and inclusive for all students,” Chollar said. Chollar said that bullying is not just an LGBTQ issue, and depending on the situation, students can contact University Police, Fairfax County Police, the Dean of Students Office or the Office of Equity and Diversity Services. “We will at first work with the student to assess their immediate safety and if there is a need for immediate medical or police assistance,” Chollar said in the e-mail. “Our goal will be helping the student be safe, as well as what’s best for them in responding to the incident.” Any students who witness “bias, discrimination, harassment, violence or criminal offense” can also file a bias in-

cident report. Another resource for students to address bullying is the Office of Judicial Affairs. Brian Papajcik, assistant director for community standards, recently worked on mediating the cyber bullying case that involved death threats on Facebook. It is not clear if the case involved a student in the LGBTQ community because Papajcik could not comment on the specific case. He said that although the Mason judicial code for student conduct does not address cyber bullying specifically, cyber bullying violates other university policies and any student who has agreed to attend Mason is bound by the policies. “We do have policies regarding harassment, threats of physical harm, intimidation, and those sorts of behavior could fall under bullying. So we would go ahead and use those charges…to address what may be considered bullying behavior,” he said. Papajcik said cases are looked at individually using the Judicial Affairs process, and students can be given an order of “no contact.” In other words, they can be separated if they live in the

“Students should realize that we treat interactions that occur online just as if they occurred in person. And students need to know that just because you said it on Facebook or Twitter doesn’t mean that the university is going to ignore it.” -Brian Papajcik, assistant director of community standards for Housing and Residence Life same dorm and sent to other residential neighborhoods. Students can also be suspended or expelled from campus. Just because bullying is done online, it does not mean the university would be more lenient, he said.

“Students should realize that we treat interactions that occur online just as if they occurred in person. And students need to know that just because you said it on Facebook or Twitter doesn’t mean that the university is going to ignore it,” Papajcik said. Criminal charges can also be ﬁled by Mason Police in conjunction with the university’s administrative procedures, he said. Papajcik encourages students who are being bullied to come forward. “Let us know about it. The sooner we know about it the sooner we can help you address the behavior.” For Johnston, the recent media attention surrounding the issue of cyber bullying might have come a little late for his situation growing up. He said that he has looked at many of the “It Gets Better” videos online, and he thinks they would have helped him. The videos are a project founded as a response to the recent suicides of LGBT students across the nation “to tell LGBT Youth that – it gets better,” according to the project website. Johnston said that Pride Alliance at Mason has even taped some of their own videos which they plan on putting

on the Mason Pride Alliance YouTube Channel. “It probably would have helped me to some extent, when I was coming out … to be able to see people say, “Hey it gets better, I know how you are feeling now, I felt that way too.” Johnston said he had to develop a thick shell in order to be able to brush off bullies. “I survived. I’m strong for it,” Johnston said. But in retrospect Johnston said he doesn’t think he should have had to be put through all that bullying. Johnston said that bullying, online and in person, is not a recent problem. “I’m pretty tough to that sort of thing, and I think it’s because I’ve dealt with that sort of thing for a long time,” he said. He said he is disappointed it took several suicides in order for people to pay attention and start addressing the issue. “It’s sad that people have had to kill themselves, for this problem to take on weight ... I wish it didn’t take this much terrible stuff to get it all started,” he said. Students who want to file a bias report can do so online at odps.gmu.edu/bias/biasform.php.

Style

Broadside

Five presidents have had full beards: Lincoln, Grant, Hayes, Garﬁeld and Harrison.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Mason celebrates Diwali Mela Students experience ‘Festival of Lights’

Photo courtesy of denharshʼs flickr account

Hannah Powers Broadside Correspondent Students ﬁlled Dewberry Hall in the Johnson Center with traditional worship services, colorful saris, sweet gulab jamuns and henna. The Diwali Mela brought the students of George Mason University together on Wednesday, regardless of their beliefs or experience. Diwali, a “Festival of Lights,” is a celebration commemorating good triumphing over evil and is

an important holiday in Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism. Home to a diverse student body, Mason held its own Diwali celebration. Organized by the Peer Empowerment Program, the festival provided Mason students the opportunity to experience other cultures. For students like computer engineering major Aditya Mehta, a graduate student from Mumbai, India, the festival was a chance to feel at home at Mason. “I’ve never done this before,” Mehta said. “It’s kind of like Christmas. A lot of gift exchanging going on.”

Other students attended with friends. Two women seated at the tables scattered around the room said while they didn’t know what the festival was about, they were there supporting friends. “It deﬁnitely opened my mind to new ideas and allowed me to experience a part of Indian culture,” said sophomore English major Tyler Lawrence. Illustrative of the diversity at Mason, an array of students attended Diwali, from those dressed in traditional kurta pajama and saris to those in jeans and a T-shirt who followed the aroma of Indian food

from their classes. The welcoming environment led to an educationally enjoyable event of culture sharing and experiencing new things for all there. This seemed to be the intent of those who planned the celebration. Sharing the Indian celebration of Diwali with Mason allowed students to join together, enjoy new foods, partake in diﬀerent ceremonies and share cultures with one another.

Formerly proposed smoking ban likely snuffed EAG ‘swamped,’ working on environmental issues outside of Mason Erin Powell Student Life Beat Writer Campus-wide smoking bans are becoming popular as universities continue to realize the health problems of secondhand smoke and the environmental hazards smoking causes. With each added complaint, the controversy over allowing smoking on campus rises. Currently, George Mason University enforces that when smoking, students must be at least 25 feet away from all building entrances. There are no limitations or restrictions for smokers otherwise. “I don’t think [smokers] pay attention to the rule, especially outside of the [Johnson Center],” said senior finance major Muna Aburish. “I think the smokers should be respectful of the nonsmokers. If they want to smoke, smoke somewhere where they won’t be affecting other people.” This time last year, members of the student-run Environmental Action Group proposed a campus-wide smoking ban due to frustrations with the current university policy. “No one was acknowledging the 25 feet rule, so they decided if smoking wasn’t allowed then they wouldn’t have to deal with it at all,” said EAG member and sophomore conflict analysis and resolution major Ce Garrison. However, the proposal was not effectively pursued and even-

Photo by Valentin Ottone

tually began to lose steam. With such a controversial topic, the group felt that much of their time would be spent working to devise an amicable solution. “I can’t see it coming back up as a proposal from the EAG,” Garrison said. “We’re really swamped with state-wide and world-wide campaigns.” Although there would be a significant reduction in littering from cigarettes and no secondhand smoke on campus, administering such a proposal would be a long and difficult process, some students say. “Smokers on campus have never really bothered me. I don't feel affected in any way and it just

seems like it would be a huge hassle to try and enforce,” said junior global aﬀairs major Sam Schulte. However, some students believe since an educational campus is open to the public, it must not infringe on the health of others. “I would totally support [a smoking ban].” said sophomore biology major Laura Mowery. “I feel like it’s unfair to ban it all over campus, but there should be other designated areas for smokers away from main entrances and buildings,” So while smokers might be breathing a sigh of relief, nonsmokers might just be inhaling more smoke, at least for now.

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Schick Names Mason a top cleanest-shaven university from Schick, researchers collected data through ﬁrst-hand student observations. “ W e sent

Asst. Style Editor A recent study conducted by the makers of Schick Hydro razors and the research firm Sperling’s Best Places ranked George Mason University the 23rd cleanest-shaven school in the U.S. Among the top five cleanest shaven colleges were Virginia schools James Madison University and University of Virginia. On the other end of the spectrum, the neighboring American University and Georgetown University were both placed in the bottom five. According to a press release

o f

S h a v e

A scruffless school Ramy Zabarah

r e searchers onto campuses across America to observe guys’ shaving habits,” said Bert Sperling, president of Sperling’s Best Places. “The one trend that stuck out the most was that guys at southern schools preferred the clean shaven look, while guys at Northeast-city schools tended to sport more scruﬀ.”

Also according to Schick, a recent national research poll conducted by StrategyOne projected that guys who shave regularly have twice as much sex, are happier, more outgoing, more social and more likely to report more attractive signiﬁcant others. In lieu of these new discoveries, Schick is seeing this as an opportunity to promote their products. “It’s clear that a lot of guys avoid shaving regularly, and they might

be developing bad shave habits on campus,” said Dan Kinto, senior brand manager for Schick. In efforts to increase awareness about the benefits of shaving regularly, Schick is also staging hydroventions, where students can submit pictures of friends with scruff on their faces to the Schick Hydro Facebook page. Schick will host these interventions for four lucky winners, who will also win a spring break trip for two. Whether Mason students are shaving daily or weekly, at least they’re having twice as much sex as the guys at Georgetown.

What is No Shave November, anyway? It is known as No Shave November and Movember, but no matter what you call it, the event has become a cultural phenomenon. It started in 2003 as “Movember,” short for “moustache November,” in Melbourne, Australia as a way to raise money for prostate cancer research. What started as a small movement among friends quickly became an international event. Over the last seven years, the occasoin has grown. The Washington Post estimates the month-long event brought over $40 mil-

lion for prostate cancer research last year. Men aren’t the only ones allowed to participate. Women are encouraged to forgo shaving their legs during November. So while most students won’t ﬁnd themselves sporting the same luxurious facial hair as Iron & Wine’s Sam Beam in the month’s remaining weeks, most students would love an excuse to put down the razor. For more information on No Shave November, including ways to donate to prostate cancer research, visit us.movember.com.

Beard-o-pedia Not sure what to do with your new facial hair? Take some tips from these Mason professors Staying warm in winter is always tricky. But with a beard like the one sported by creative writing professor Alan Cheuse, you’ll never have a problem staying warm through all those chilly winter nights.

Facial hair has long been associated with intellectualism. With an elegant ‘stache like the one sported here by communication professor Stephen Farnsworth, it’s easy to stay classy and smart.

Not every man can grow a full beard. But for those who still want some scruﬀ, we present a shining bearded beacon - Carl Botan, Director of the English Department’s MA Program.

Courtesy of www.gmu.edu

Music lovers might call this “the Zappa.” Bookworms may use “the Vonnegut.” Call it what you will, just call it classy. We do. And we know linguistics professor Steven Weinberger does, too.

With age comes wisdom. And with wisdom, in the case of English professor Andy Finn, comes incredible facial hair. White hair doesn’t mean you’re getting older, it just means you’re getting a better beard.

Fellas, let’s face it some girls just love a burly man. For those who can commit, allow us to present English Department Associate Chair Alok Yadav and his ferocious beard.

Courtesy of www.gmu.edu Courtesy of www.gmu.edu

Please please me

Courtesy of www.gmu.edu

Brandi Morehead Sex Columnist Intimacy doesn’t always have to be about the woman being sexy. There is nothing wrong with the man being sexy for his partner. This is not just a physical appearance thing either – although that can add extra fun. Be her sexiest pleasure partner. If there are physical things you can do that you know will drive her wild, do them. Be a rugged man by growing some scruﬀ, put on that shirt she just loves and add the mouthwatering cologne. Who could resist? There are many other things you can do beyond physical appearance. Make her feel like she’s the ﬁnest thing you’ve ever laid eyes on; that you just cannot stop touching because you don’t want to. Don’t be afraid to be creative – she’ll return the favor! Get her excited by running your tongue up her neck to her ear, exhaling lightly and seduc-

tively. This will activate the now moistened skin sending her nerves wild. Don’t be afraid to nibble, bite gently, pull and tug all over her. Don’t forget her highlysensitive nipples; men often don’t pay enough attention to these turn-on buttons. Don’t always go for the gold – make her body tremble with desire before you blow her mind with fabulous sex. Always remember you have the best sex toys and you use them every day – your hands! Don’t just touch your girl. Feel and rub her with intensity. Just as she gets your motor running by touching you, the roles can be reversed. Use your hands creatively. Rub over her vagina, and tease her thighs, surprising her with soft, sexy kisses on her inner thighs while looking up at her. She will be aching for you to enter her. Then satisfy the ache. Enter her slowly, squeezing her butt gently. With every breathtaking pump, draw her closer to you. Even pin her hands

above her head to be more powerful in this hot situation. When inside of her, ﬂex your muscles in your penis. This will push buttons she didn’t even know existed. Turn her on even more by talking erotically to her. Tell her what you plan to do to her, tell her how good she feels around your rock-hard penis, whisper to her how badly you want her all day, every day. Just make sure you’re saying things in the right context. Do not rush this erotic sex. Take your penis oﬀ jackhammer mode. Sex is a marathon, not a sprint. Pump softly, sideways, and most of all, grind inside of her. Get her to moan. Listen for the “Oh yes!” and “Don’t stop!” and then really don’t stop. Do exactly what she is telling you she likes. If she isn’t telling you, ask and do as she desires. Be the sexy man you are and take control of the situation. The goal is to make her beg for more. Do this, and you’ll be her king.

Opinion Broadside

Monday, November 8, 2010

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Democrats deserved to lose the elections Americans realized that Liberals don’t have the answers, now Republicans get a shot Alan Moore S E N I O R

Opinion

Columnist On Tuesday, the direction of this country dramatically changed for the better. In what was a direct repudiation of the Obama administration’s failed policies, the American people sent a clear message that the country’s left-wing lurch is unacceptable and unwanted. In a colossal landslide, the Republicans picked up over 60 seats in the House of Representa-

tives and some key seats in the Senate. In less than two years, the Democrats showed America that they were incapable of leading this country and deserved to be thrown out of office. The American people didn’t buy the notion that we had to be subservient to the Obama agenda because we just weren’t smart enough to grasp what he was doing. People grasped the agenda and proceeded to flat out reject it. Democrats deserved to lose because the federal deficit is spiraling out of control due to massive spending during the recession. In 2011, America is looking at a deficit of $1.4 trillion; we’re borrowing 41 cents out of every fed-

eral dollar spent. If current policies remain in effect, Americans can count on the largest tax increase in the history of the country just to get out of the red. Funding for Defense spending, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid could easily collapse. Democrats deserved to lose because they would rather play politics than actually fix the current ailments of the country. President Obama still won’t accept any responsibility for his failures; time and time again he blames his predecessor for the country’s condition. However, facts show that in the first 19 months of Obama’s presidency, his policies have resulted in the buildup of more debt

Conservative comeback Despite a massive setback in 2008, Republicans rally in the 2010 midterm elections

than the total amount accumulated from the presidencies of George Washington through Ronald Reagan. Democrats deserved to lose for mandating Obamacare. I know for a fact that my health insurance rates are going to double and my level of coverage is going down. You can expect something similar next year and there’s nothing you can do about it because you’re going to be required by law to purchase health insurance. This new, socialized system of health care is an entitlement program we don’t need and can’t aﬀord. Democrats deserved to lose for nationalizing student loans; many students are now dependent

S o p h o m o r e

Opinion

Columnist

As many may recall, after President Barack Obama won by a large margin in 2008, there was a Time magazine cover story that said the Republican elephants were an endangered species. In 2010, it seems like the Democratic donkeys may be the ones that are endangered. Tuesday’s election went as expected, but where the losses occurred is where the story lies. The Republicans took over the House of Representatives by a historic margin not seen since 1938. Although the Democrats held the Senate, they still suﬀered substantial losses. With the exception of Colorado, you can draw a red line of states from Pennsylvania to Utah. States that Obama carried in 2008 like Pennsylvania, Ohio and Wisconsin elected Republican senators as well as Republican Party governors in the same year. The crucial state of

Florida, which Obama won, went red with Senator-elect Marco Rubio and Governorelect Rick Scott. The gender and racial makeup of the winners is also a noteworthy point. For a party and movement derided over the past few years as “too old and white,” the GOP elected two Hispanic governors, Brian Sandoval of Nevada and Susana Martinez of New Mexico, also the ﬁrst Hispanic female elected as governor in the United States. Republicans also have Indian-American Governor of Louisiana Bobby Jindal and fellow Indian-American Governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina. In an election year that boasted the most Republican black candidates in history, Tim Scott was elected as a congressman in South Carolina, becoming the ﬁrst black Republican to represent the state in more than 100 years. In essence, the reports of the GOP’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. It is the Democrats who should be worried. With minor exceptions, the party was shut out of the middle of America. Democrats did prevail on the West Coast, however, and in New England.

The famed “Blue Dog” moderate Democrats who won seats in 2006 and 2008 were wiped out. Many moderate Midwestern senators lost their jobs, such as Russ Feingold in Wisconsin and others who retired prior to the election. It’s striking to see the Electoral College map of 2004 compared to the one of 2008. In 2004, John Kerry’s main bases were the East and West Coasts and New England and in 2008, Obama won traditionally red states on his way to a high vote count. If you take away the states that went red Tuesday night and subtract them from Obama’s total in 2008, it would bear a striking resemblance to the Bush/Kerry election. This doesn’t guarantee any party anything in the next two years. The American electorate could be as unstable as the economy and no one knows what could happen, but one thing is for sure: the Republican Party has been resurrected in 2010. It has elected some fresh faces and some future national candidates this year. As far as political junkies like me are concerned, the 2012 campaign begins right now.

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interests. The list of disappointments goes on and on. So did Republicans deserve to win? Unfortunately, the jury is still out. The next two years will be perhaps the most important we have ever faced as a nation. After the ineptitude of the Obama Administration and his cohorts in Congress, we should all be willing to have a little faith and give John Boehner, the presumptive new speaker of the House, a chance. If what we’ve recently experienced in the political landscape was a tremor, then get ready for an earthquake. If the GOP can’t effectively counter the liberal Obama agenda, however, then we’re in a lot of trouble.

Democracy is over When news becomes opinion, Americans lose Nicholas Gardner Opinion Columnist

Curtis kalin

on the bureaucratization of the federal government to go to school. Don’t think they can’t raise your rates or cut oﬀ your funding completely because it’s all within the realm of possibility. The government can’t even run Amtrak. Do you really think they can competently run a student loans program? Democrats deserved to lose for taking General Motors away from the stockholders and giving it to corrupt unions, for failing to secure the border, for neglecting the war in Afghanistan, for letting a rogue nation like Iran become a nuclear power, for turning their backs on Israel and for wasting our tax dollars on failed stimulus plans that went to pay oﬀ special

In 1933, a small group of wealthy American businessmen devised a plot to overthrow Franklin Roosevelt’s administration and install a fascist dictatorship. The plan never came to fruition and the man to lead the dictatorship, a decorated general, testiﬁed against the conspirators before Congress in 1934. The men behind the plot were captains of industry, businessmen threatened by Roosevelt’s strangulating regulations. Now, over 75 years later, the plot has thickened and reached its bony hand through the soil to grip America by the throat. The days of corroborating in smoky boardrooms and country clubs are long past. In today’s world, if the details of such a coup came to light, there would be a subset of Americans willing to not only defend the actions of the conspirators but to praise those involved for their patriotism and loyalty to the Constitution. In the past year, electoral restrictions have been loosened and large corporations have been given the ability to ﬂood elections with as much money as they desired. In January, the Supreme Court overturned legislation on corporate spending limits in elections by ruling that money is a

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

form of free speech and cannot be abridged. Since then, the case has been the basis for undoing other finance laws, such as laws that require political organizations to disclose the names of large donors. If you’ve seen any media from the past 30 years (if you haven’t, I’m honored to be your first), you’d know that mobsters have a lawyer on-call for when they get arrested in the middle of the night. With corporations, there are lobbyists who for the right paycheck are ready to take the fight to Washington. And with the right paycheck, they’ll bring the right argument, backed by the right research, provided by the right scientist. Of course, a lobbyist’s argument gets more credence if a news organization exists to legitimize it and regards all claims to the contrary as the product of bias. Furthermore, if the news organization made the lobbyist into the politician, they can cut out the middleman and have their interests secured. Recently, Politico reported that four of the five former Republican presidential candidates not currently in public office are currently working as contributors for Fox News. Since Barack Obama’s inauguration, Fox News has seemingly given up any self-image as a nonpartisan news agency. From providing the Koch-fi-

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.

nanced Tea Party movement a microphone to preach from, to the donation of $1 million from Fox News’ parent company News Corp., to the Republican Governor’s Association, we can clearly see that Fox leans to the right. Though none of the issues listed above are technically illegal, I ask you, my fellow Americans, to consider the philosophical ramifications of an editorialized news outlet in a democracy. Thomas Jefferson believed that democracy’s survival depended on an informed populace. The belief that bias is incompatible with factual journalism is implied regularly among Fox News commentators whenever they deride the “liberal media.” In the past, Fox News has confessed to having a conservative bias in its programming. By this logic, Fox News has effectively stated that portions of its programming are non-factual journalism by design. Without factual journalism that the audience can trust, Fox News is helping to keep a population of voters misinformed, which is hazardous to a system that relies on information in order to operate properly. So, whether the issue is the identity of foreign donors, or the omission of key facts about a candidate, Jefferson might say of the biased media, “There is not a truth existing which I fear or would wish unknown to the whole world.”

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Monday, November 8, 2010 |

Students and Government Man on the Street The impact of the youth on the future Brandon minster G R A D S T u d e n t

Opinion

Columnist

On one level, election night is tailored for the modern college student. It allows – nay, demands – that you stay up late watching election results on TV. Some college students watch the elections like it is their job. But others are left bored and confused. You can see old people talking on TV anytime on C-SPAN. Besides, who knew there was even an election coming up? Not many young voters. The president’s youth-fueled coalition was abandoned in droves, leaving the heavy lifting to the nation’s ponytailed English professors (and we all know those guys aren’t built for that). Being a Democrat is sexy and exciting, but being a Republican is staid and tepid. Which name is supposed to make me feel superior again, Connolly or Fimian? College students can get on board with being a Democrat. It’s easy to feel superior with a “Yes We Can” sticker on your shirt but it’s also easier to stay home and download music instead of going out to vote.

The last presidential election showed us that young people get involved when what is asked of them is simple – vote Obama – and the reasons are boiled down to one word – change. The midterm election shows us that when things get more nuanced, America’s youth stays at home. So how will this election affect the nation’s young public? The two largest eﬀects will be in health care and student loans. Outright repeal of the president’s signature health care legislation is a tall order for the incoming Republican House majority. With only one chamber of Congress, it is unlikely that they will be able to send any repeal bill to the president’s desk. Even if they did, their numbers are not suﬃcient to override a veto. What is more likely is a little trimming around the edges. Where unnecessary expenses are included, they can be cut out. This would seem to target college students’ favorite provision: automatic coverage by their parents’ health care plans until the age of 26. When Obama spoke at the Patriot Center earlier this year, his biggest applause came when he promised to further infantilize college students. Once, college students demanded to be viewed as adults. Now, they demand to be treated as children. Cost-conscious Republicans will attempt to make the health care law less expensive by strip-

ping down the increased length of coverage. Obama might take the youth vote for granted to agree to this rollback, so college students should prepare to meet the “real world” earlier than their late 20s. Secondly, the president’s proposal to greatly expand federal control of student lending could be threatened by the more conservative Congress. The mortgage-lending debacle that resulted in federal acquisition of massive amounts of government-sponsored enterprise debt has left Republicans leery of strong-arming lending decisions. If private student lenders ramp up their debt oﬀerings to students and the employment market stays soft, millions of recent graduates will default on their obligations, requiring a government bailout for student loan originators. If the additional lending comes from the government directly, the already-unmanageable federal debt picture becomes even more bleak. At the extreme, Republicans might advocate tying student ﬁnancing to future earnings potential. Instead of funding artists and engineers equally, perhaps some consideration should be given to the value of what is being learned. Treating adults like adults and expecting loans to be productive – these are the crazy economic policies of incoming Republicans.

Would you ever get a tattoo of someone else’s name? A. Yes, if the person means enough to me. B. Yes, but only if the person has died. C. Yes, but only if it is a close relative. D. No, I wouldn’t want someone else’s name on my body. E. No, I would never get a tattoo.

What YOU said... “What if you never talk to them again? Plus it’s way too expensive to get it [done].”

Photo by Justin Lalputan

“”I would get a tattoo of my family member’s name but never a girlfriend.” Ayo Adisa Sophomore Accounting

Please install a crosswalk

“It would have to be someone who is very important to me.”

Walking to campus can be dangerous for students Guest Columnist For those of us living off campus, we commute in different ways. Some travel by metro, others ride the bus and a majority zoom onto campus in cars. The closer commuters and on-campus students choose less motorized ways of transport, like bikes or good-ol’ fashioned walking. I live in the University Drive neighborhood behind campus, which houses a fair number of Mason students. Residents of this neighborhood must enter campus by crossing University Drive using the crosswalk in front of the police station. Earlier this year, Michelle Dawson was hit by a car at a crosswalk in the same area, which has since been moved. According to interviewees in a Broadside article, the most dangerous aspect is the crosswalk’s placement in front of the light. Mason’s response was to move the crosswalk about 30 feet closer to the light, which is a good first step, but more precautions need to be added. This crosswalk is extremely dangerous due to the lack of a crosswalk button, a pedestrian signal, signs on both sides of the road and most importantly, its location on a high-traffic road. In addition, drivers should respect road signs and traffic laws and yield when pedestrians are present. One morning, I was cross-

ing the crosswalk and had already passed one side of traffic. There was a car coming on the opposite side, a student driver car, and it was far enough away to have clearly seen three people in the crosswalk. Not only did the car not stop, but the driver was alone, leading me to believe that it was the instructor. He was also talking on a cell phone. I was shocked. This driver’s lack of attention is not uncommon on the road. Throughout the day, drivers arriving on campus are concerned with how quickly they can find parking, perhaps not paying as much attention as they should to the road. Also in a hurry, pedestrians may dart in front of cars to quickly cross roads. Since there are no pedestrian signals at the crosswalk, I must make assumptions. I assume it is safe to cross when the light facing the garage turns green for cars exiting the Rappahanock Parking Deck. The light only turns green, causing University Drive traffic to halt, when there are cars leaving the parking deck. If pedestrians want to cross at any other time, they must use their best judgment. It only takes one distraction, by either pedestrian or driver, to cause someone’s life to drastically change. Another assumption I make is that pedestrians have the right of way when crossing the street. However, the law doesn’t seem to affect Mason

drivers who seldom yield to pedestrians. The irony of the police station’s location is notable, since the disobedience of federal, state and campus law occurs in front of their headquarters every single day. In order to remind drivers, there is one tiny sign near the police station that reads, “STOP for pedestrians in crosswalk.” The sign remained in this location after the crosswalk was relocated, but now drivers pass the crosswalk before they read the sign. Also, there is only one sign posted and last time I checked, there are two sides of the road. I believe I am a good pedestrian. Heeding my mother’s words, I look both ways before I cross the street. However, drivers seem to lack common sense when they are behind the wheel. I guess the two seconds they save by not stopping at the crosswalk means they’ll ﬁnd the perfect parking spot. Mason Transportation Department: please install a crosswalk button and pedestrian signaling system. This crosswalk is dangerous and unsafe, as was proven earlier this year. Another sign on the other side of the road would be welcomed. Make it a little bigger this time. Mason drivers: stay vigilant and attentive to the road, and don’t worry, there are plenty of parking spots waiting in Lot K.

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of last week’s poll: Will you be voting in the upcoming Congressional Election on Nov. 2?

Elizabeth Bisutti Freshman Global Aﬀairs

Photo by Justin Lalputan

Marine Jaouen

Results

Jordan Hartman Sophomore Tourism and Events Management

a. Yes, I have researched the candidates and issues, and I believe I know who is most fit to be elected. 66.67 % b. Yes, but only because I feel obligated to support my opinions by voting. 11.11 % c. Yes, but I don’t care who wins the election. 0%

Photo by Justin Lalputan

d. No, I don’t care who wins the election. 22. 22 % I f you wo uld like to s ubmit yo ur op i nio n o n the po ll, res po nd at w w w. bro ads ideo nline. co m

e. No, I don’t believe my vote will make a difference. 0%

of the

Quote Week: “What you’re witnessing is a change of history, a tidal wave, a tsunami.” - A Keith Fimian rally attendee, Curtis Stafford, in reference to news that Republicans were poised to seize control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down Thumbs up to No Shave November. Now guys can look like bums and benefit a good cause. Thumbs up to the speed limit on Interstate 66 being increased to 70 mph in some areas. Now instead of going 70 mph we can go 75 mph.

Miscellaneous Couple in Charlottesville wish to adopt newborn. Approved by licensed child-placing agency. Loving home! Contact us at peterandcari@gmail.com

Thumbs down to tickets for Daniel Tosh’s Tosh Tour 2010 being sold out in Washington. Guess we’ll just have to YouTube it. Thumbs down to the driver in Lot K who ran straight into a tree as was mentioned in last week’s police files. We all know cars are harmful to the environment, but let’s be a little merciful.

Sports

Broadside

The number of rounds it took Fairfax native, Jimmy Lange, to knockout Joe Wyatt in Saturday night’s bout.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Mason’s best kept secret: Underwater Hockey

Road to

RECOVERY

Club team has eyes set on playing in national tournaments Dan McEnrue Broadside Correspondent

Photo By Stephen Kline

Vertrail Vaughns returned to the court a er being redshirted last season due to an injury.

Bennett,Vaughns fight off injury, return to the floor for Patriots Cody Norman Sports Editor Shortly after entering the game in the ﬁrst half of Wednesday’s win over Bowie State, redshirt freshman forward Paris Bennett scored the ﬁrst two points of his college career on an assist from senior guard Cam Long. It was a moment that Bennett has, for nearly a year, worked hard to be a part of. This crucial moment would foreshadow his impact on the Patriots’ victory. “It felt good. I was real nervous this whole week,” Bennett said. “I got a chance at an easy basket right away and that kind of opened things up for me.” Last year, Bennett received a redshirt after breaking his wrist just four games into his freshman season. The injury side-

lined the former three-star recruit for the remainder of the season and placed him in a role he was unfamiliar with. “It was tough being out,” said Bennett. “But my role was to help get our team together on and off the floor. I was a different kind of sixth man last season.” On Wednesday night, Bennett took the floor in front of George Mason University students and fans for the first time since his injury and came up huge for coach Jim Larranaga and the team. Following his first score almost immediately after checking into the game, Bennett connected on three of his next four attempts for a steady ninepoint performance. He snagged seven rebounds for the Patriots and was a factor on both ends of the floor. The effort he gave against

Bowie State is what Larranaga expects to see more often this season. “Last year, [Bennett] was trying too hard to score the ball,” Larranaga said. “But he has really relaxed. And he has really calmed down a lot this year.” Fellow redshirt freshman Vertrail Vaughns was another player whose freshman season was cut short due to injury. Vaughns injured his wrist and spent the entire previous season off the floor but working out. Vaughns stepped onto the floor Wednesday night in front of Mason fans for the first time in his college career. Like Bennett, he also played an excellent game. Turning it on late in the game, Vaughns knocked down five of his seven shot attempts, finishing with 11 points in just 13 minutes. “I wasn’t out there the whole time last year. I was eager to get

back on the court,” Vaughns said. “It was a great experience being out there with the team again.” If Wednesday night’s victory over visiting Bowie State is any accurate prediction, Mason’s two redshirt freshmen will play a key role in the team’s success this season. “They went through a preseason,” Larranaga said. “They’ve been through the ups and downs of a freshman year. It just got cut short. I’m expecting this part of their freshman year to be more like a sophomore season.” Bennett, Vaughns and the rest of the Patriots will be in action at the Patriot Center at 4 p.m. on Saturday against Harvard University in a game that Larranaga calls “a matchup of the oldest school in the nation against the best team in the nation.”

Students organize Fan Appreciation Night Cody Norman Sports Editor

Calendar

Throughout the fall semester, Cindy Wadell, associate professor in the School of Recreation, Health and Tourism, and her class of nine students have learned about all facets of sports marketing through experience. In her project-based class, Waddell has allowed her students the opportunity to explore marketing strategies in conjunction with the women’s volleyball team, without providing a budget.

“They have had some real world experience,” Waddell said. “And I have been very impressed with the results.” For each volleyball match that the class has marketed, they developed a promotional theme. Most successfully, the students worked on a sponsorship game that netted 620 supporters including University President Alan Merten and his wife. “We’ve learned that you have to put in some time to get good results,” said Ludek Lhotsky, a student that Waddell described as a “superstar” in her sports market-

ing class. During the 2009 women’s volleyball season, attendance averaged a mere 325 supporters. However, since Waddell’s class began working with the team this season, attendance has risen to an impressive 407 fans. On Saturday evening at the Recreation and Athletic Complex, the women’s volleyball team will be competing in their last home match of the season. Waddell’s students will be putting together everything they have learned this semester to host a Fan Appreciation Night. They have collected

Monday, Nov 8 Women's Basketball vs. Davis and Elkins 7:00 PM

multiple give-away items, including free smoothies, Wizards tickets and Mason apparel and will hold a meet-and-greet autograph session with the players immediately following their match. With the volleyball team’s attendance record set at just over 640 people, Waddell’s students have set a hefty goal to bring 900 supporters to Saturday night’s event. For more information on the event and the marketing course, visit the George Mason Women’s Volleyball page on Facebook.

When you think of hockey, different ideas come to mind depending on if you're a fan or not. Maybe it's the Caps or the Flyers, or maybe you just think of the puck. Either way, you probably do not think of a swimming pool. However, if you mention hockey to the members of the George Mason Underwater Hockey Club, that is the first thing that comes to their minds. Underwater hockey is a sport that combines elements from soccer and ice-hockey. The sport is played by two teams who score by maneuvering a wood or plastic puck into a goal trough. The positions are similar to soccer, but instead of being played on a field, players are on the bottom of a swimming pool. Junior Natalie Jones relates the game play to that of Quidditch. "People come from all around you, not just from left to right, but from above and below...it’s almost like flying," she said. On Nov. 6, the club hosted a Pollock tournament at the Aquatic and Fitness Center against Georgia Tech, UNC and

George Washington. Mason won against Georgia Tech in the ﬁrst game of the Round Robin style game play. It was a low-level tournament, which according to Andrew Creedon, president of the club, is where "players get to really hone their skills." "The sport is truly unique since there is no normal method of communication between players underwater,” said Mason alumnus Phil Magness, an employee of the Institute of Humane Studies at Mason. “The strategy dynamics are greatly diﬀerent from anything else out there.” The members of the club currently have their sights set on building a dynamic team, one that will hopefully be able to compete in upcoming national tournaments.

For more information on Mason’s Underwater Hockey Club, visit www.gmu.edu/org/ uwhockey/

Is Major League Baseball back? Cody Norman Sports Editor I’ll be the ﬁrst to admit, I’ve lost interest in Major League Baseball over the last few years. The same eight teams make the playoﬀs every year and the same two or three have the ability to challenge for the World Series. Typically, the teams that spend the most money (i.e. the Yankees, Red Sox and Phillies) have the best shot at a title. That leaves me, as fan of the Cleveland Indians, disinterested in the baseball season about midway through May. Cleveland is normally out of any sort of divisional race by that point and their main purpose over the last few years has been to act as a farm team for the Yankees and Phillies. I mean, think about it: Three out of the four starting pitchers in Game 1 of the last two World Series’ have been no more than three years removed from playing

for the Tribe. It’s sickening, really. With that being said, this year’s World Series was an absolute phenomenon. The San Francisco Giants, eventual winner, has one superstar caliber player in Tim Lincecum. And he wasn’t even a part of four of the six games. Texas is relatively similar. You can make an argument that Josh Hamilton is a star but, other than him, the Rangers played four of the six games without their superstar Cliff Lee as well. This was the first season in a long time that each division in both leagues was competitive. The Yankees – the highest paid team in baseball by a large margin – was knocked off by a team that nearly filed for bankruptcy earlier in the season. For the first time in years, I am sincerely excited for baseball season to begin. Could this incredible series have marked the beginning of a new time for Major League Baseball?

Interested in becoming a sports writer for Broadside? Visit the Broadside office in Student Union Building I or send an e-mail to cnorman2@gmu.edu

Friday, Nov 12 Women's Basketball vs. Massachusetts at Amherst 5:00 PM Women's Volleyball vs. Hofstra 7:00 PM

Saturday, Nov 13 Men's Basketball vs. Harvard 4:00 PM Women's Volleyball vs. Northeastern 7:00 PM

Broadside

Sports

Monday, November 8, 2010 |

Lange silences contender in tenth round Fairfax native KOs Joe Wyatt during Satuday’s bout at the Patriot Center Pat Carroll Asst. Sports Editor

Photo By Stephen Kline

Fairfax na ve, Jimmy Lange, earned a knockout victory in the tenth round of Saturday’s bout.

Patriots clipped by Seahawks in finale Late win streak not enough to keep postseason hopes alive John Powell Staff Writer The George Mason men’s soccer team’s hopes were dashed Saturday night as they lost to the University of North Carolina – Wilmington Seahawks 2-1 in double overtime. Both teams were playing for a chance at receiving a postseason berth, but the Patriots’ loss put them outside of the top four teams who play for the conference championship. The Patriots opened their season unable to win a game against Old Dominion, VCU, Drexel or William & Mary. Winning only one of those games would have put them in a tie for fourth place, just making the postseason, after playing on Saturday. The Patriots opened up the match and quickly found a way to get a shot on goal only about three minutes into the game. After both teams headed off the field for halftime with the score at 0-0, it was apparent that they shot the best chance either team had to score by dominating the first half with midfield fights for possession. “We all worked with each other,” said freshman goalkeeper Sean Cote. “They left their heart on the field. We had to win this game, and that’s how we played.” Seven minutes into the second half, the Seahawks’ junior forward Shawn Guderian played a ball with little coverage in Patriots territory and sent it to sophomore midfielder Etienne Boulanger. In a one-on-one matchup with Sean Cote, Boulanger powered the ball in off Cote’s fingertips.

“Our defense, I do not know where they were,” said a clearly upset Cote after the game. “But it was a perfect ball in. I tried everything I could. I got a finger on it, but it slipped in. I do not know how.” Mason began to pick up the pace and as the clock wound down, the players started to appear almost frantic. With 33 second left in regulation, freshman forward Hugh Roberts threw the ball into play towards the Seahawk’s goal where senior forward Parker Walton jumped in the air to smash the ball into the goal. “It was big,” said Walton. “With 30 seconds left we needed a goal to take it to overtime. I scored the goal but it was a fight for the whole team. We fought the whole game, and it was crucial.” That feeling resonated with the team. “We know we had that game,” said Cote. The Patriots played with high emotion and momentum in front of nearly 1,500 fans, nine seniors and some of the team’s alumni, but were unable to put the ball in during the first overtime. “Terribly disappointing for the guys and the program to have a defeat like that especially after we had momentum,” said Head Coach Greg Andrulis after the game. “They fought so hard to come back.” At the 102-minute mark, the Seahawks found themselves behind the Mason defense and in another one-onone matchup. Tyler Clare blasted the ball in for the win. “I know we have a good group,” said Andrulis. “We have a good foundation and we’ll just keep trying to get better.”

Broadside file photo

Mason fell to the University of North Carolina Seahawks on Saturday night.

The atmosphere at the Patriot Center on Saturday night was like that of a Las Vegas highstakes prize fight. Seven bouts, one four round, four six round and two ten round main events made up the schedule for the evening. The field of fighters was filled with plenty of local talent. Many fans, friends and family members filled the Patriot Center. Brandon Quarles, junior middleweight of Alexandria Boxing Club won with a 38-37 decision. The junior middleweight fight definitely showed why it was the opening bout with inexperienced fighting. Zain “Tiger” Shah from Chantilly won with a 58-56 decision against Omar Sims, in what was for the most part a dull fight. Shah had the quickness to step out of the way of Sims’ swings, but did not protect himself well when he did take a shot. West Virginia native Perry Ballard, however, got the crowd on its feet with an outstanding KO in the first round of his bout with Booker Mullins. After the fight, Ballard

called out Jimmy Lange saying,” If he doesn’t hit me on the back of the head or below the belt, I’m knocking Jimmy Lange out.” Lange fought and defeated Ballard at the Patriot Center back in 2005 with a fourth round TKO. Todd “White Lightning” Wilson made his presence known with a bagpipe-led entrance. The Fairfax native pleased his fans with a TKO in the third round. However, the story of the night was the man of the event, Jimmy Lange. Lange (34-4-2, 24 KOs) entered the ring to “Enter Sandman” by Metallica, a smoke machine, and an explosion of red, white and blue confetti. His family was ringside cheering him on as he made his entrance into the ring. The Bishop O’Connell High School graduate got oﬀ to a somewhat shaky start, taking plenty of head and body shots. Joe Wyatt (23-1, 15 KOs) was out to spoil Lange’s party. As the rounds progressed, Lange became more resilient, getting in more punches, and showed it in the tenth and ﬁnal round with a thrilling knockout blow. With the win, Lange took the NABA super welterweight title and a shot at a possible bout with Harry Joe Yorgey in Atlantic City in early spring.

Sports in a Minute Cody Norman Sports Editor Women’s Soccer: Mason 6, JMU 7 The Patriots extended their season into the CAA Tournament for the ﬁrst time since 2003. However, they were dropped in overtime by the Dukes, who advanced due to a 6-5 edge in penalty kicks.

Women’s Volleyball: Mason 1, Georgia State 3 Three Patriots registered double-doubles, but the George Mason women's volleyball team dropped a 3-1 decision at Georgia State on Sunday afternoon in Colonial Athletic Association action. Set scores were 16-25, 26-24, 25-22, 25-23.

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Norman Carroll

Photo By Stephen Kline

Mason’s weekly scoreboard Mason 3, UNC Wilmington 0 Senior Holly Goode registered 12 kills on .407 hitting as the George Mason women's volleyball team downed UNC Wilmington in a dominant three-set sweep on Friday night at Hanover Hall. Set scores were 25-17, 25-9, 25-10.

tball Picks

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Jimmy Lange was a member of the first season of NBC’s The Contender. Boxing since the age of five, Lange has been surrounding by the boxing world since childhood. His father became his manager and Lange began training at Olympia Boxing Gym in Falls Church. Lange’s passion for boxing has always been there and it is evident in the way he fights, with his discipline, patience and attention to detail in his movements and punches. He has become a fan favorite in the area and has fought numerous times at the Patriot Center, Saturday being his eleventh appearance. After his stunning night on Saturday, it won’t be his last.

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The Vision Series Dirty Little Secrets of American Politics Bill Schneider, speaker Mon., Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. Free/Ticketed CH

Dailey & Vincent

Aquila Theatre: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Fri., Nov. 12 at 8 p.m. ppd $44, $36, $22 CH f f Free Student Tickets Available Now!

Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company

GMU Symphonic Band and Percussion Ensemble

Fri., Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. ppd $34, $26, $17 CH Free Student Tickets Available Nov. 9

Sat., Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. Sun., Nov. 14 at 4 p.m. ppd $46, $38, $23 CH f f Free Student Tickets Available Now!

GMU Saxophone Ensemble

Tues., Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. $15 adult, $10 student/senior CH Limited Free Student Tickets Available Now!

GMU Symphony Orchestra

GMU Vocal Jazz

Sat., Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. $55, $45, $35, $25 CH Limited Free Student Tickets Available Nov. 9

Mason Dance Company: Fall Concert November 11-13 at 8 p.m. November 12 at 2 p.m. $15 adult, $10 senior, $7 student HT Limited Free Student Tickets Available Now! ppd

=Pre-performance Discussion

=Family Friendly

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra

Sunday, November 14 at 7 p.m. Free/Non-ticketed HT

The Mason Players Studio Series Something to Hide November 18-20 at 8 p.m. November 20-21 at 2 p.m. $12 adult, $8 student/senior BB Limited Free Student Tickets Available Nov. 9 BB=Black Box

CH=Concert Hall

New Orleans Nights with Allen Toussaint, Nicholas Payton, and the Joe Krown Trio Sun., Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. CH f f Free Student Tickets Available Nov. 9

HT=Harris Theater

OR TH E RF TS

Center for the Arts

ppd

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

TS=TheaterSpace

Wed., Nov. 10 at 8 p.m. $15 adult, $10 student/senior CH Limited Free Student Tickets Available Now!

Sat., Nov. 20 at 3 p.m. Free/Non-ticketed HT

CENT

TONIGHT!

Free Tickets for Mason Students!

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