Voxpop Diversity

diversity

Spring 2012

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VOXPOP DIVERSITY MAGAZINE

the melting pot

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captured

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student soldier

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behind the counter

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40 year old sponge

no luxury vehicle

a beautiful mix

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mason around the world twitter: diversity in 140 characters branches of the same tree

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Letter from the

Editor

Staff & Special Thanks

For me, many may think my diversity is obvious – a female of a multi-ethnic background. My father is full Iranian, and my mother is from Bolivia, but she also has a little Lebanese and French in her. They came together and had me, a little Middle Eastern and Hispanic girl with a hint of French. But my ethnicity isn’t just what makes me diverse – everything about me, and more importantly, everything about YOU, makes us diverse.

Rumsha Ahmed Managing Editor

You don’t have to hail from a far away land to be diverse – it could be that beauty mark on your cheek that makes you different. You don’t have to speak another language, you could just be into playing the piano. Our ideas, hopes, accomplishments, physical attributes and passions all define us.

Stephen Kline Photo Editor

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hat makes you diverse?

My multi-cultural background is just one of my defining features. From the stories my late grandmother told me as a small child, to the beautiful traditions my parents introduced me to, to my Catholic faith, these stories, perspectives, beliefs and dreams have all come together and created me.

Every little piece of us is special; everything about us makes us diverse. No matter how plain you think you are, I guarantee that no one could count all the facets you have.

In this issue of VoxPop we explore what makes the beautiful community of George Mason University diverse. We, as members of this family, have the privilege of interacting with thousands of different people who are as different and special as the stars in the sky or the grains of sand at the beach.

Thank you for picking up VoxPop. I hope that you find the people featured here as beautiful and unique as I do.

Yasmin Tadjdeh VoxPop Editor-in-Chief

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VOXPOP DIVERSITY MAGAZINE

Yasmin Tadjdeh Editor-in-Chief Mahogany M. Murray Art & Design Director

Audrey Mattaino Copy Editor

Kathryn Mangus Student Media Advisor David Carroll Student Media Advisor

Special Thanks to: John Powell Jake McLernon Dan Waxman Aram Zucker-Scharff Jacques Mouyal Katalin Mouyal Office of Student Media Broadside

mason around the

world

“Not all Jews originate from Israel – my family is originally from Russia. I can’t speak for the entire Jewish population, but my family thinks a lot about food – in the morning we are already thinking about what we are going to do for dinner. Case in point, the Jewish delis in New York City have the most incredibly large sandwiches known to man.”

-- Rebecca Shore, Senior Jewish & Russian

“I honestly can’t say how or why my love for England began, it’s just always been there. I am English, [and] to me, England is the embodiment of everything that is beautiful – the timeless history, beloved literature, even simply the lovely houses and gardens. When you stroll through an English village, you can imagine, even see the centuries of history that was made.”

-- Taylor McKinley, Senior English

“What I am most proud about is Iranians today. After a revolution in 1979, many Iranians fled Iran with no money, no luggage and a lot of emotional attachment. As a firstgeneration Iranian, I have seen how hard my parents worked and how successful they have become. I commend our culture, which has engrained this idea of ‘success’ and its importance in it. The joy I feel to be a part of such a strong and powerful community that is able to excel in all parts of the world is unexplainable.”

-- Parisa Pirooz, Junior Iranian

“I am proud of the history that my culture spans; the thousands of years that Asian culture has survived through and impacted.

Enduring customs continue to make themselves a part of society in many Asian countries, and that is one of the many symbols of Asian cultures holding on to and retaining their identity.”

-- Phil Xu, Sophomore Chinese SPRING 2012

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A

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eautiful

A Fusion of Culture

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iversity

and George Mason University go hand-inhand. From the students, to the faculty to the staff, a mixture of dozens of cultures can be seen on campus.

The Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education (ODIME) and the Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS) work around the year to help showcase and celebrate these different cultures that come together at Mason.

“Diversity is not just ethnicity-based,” freshman Nashiha Pervin said. “It’s more than that — like viewpoints, economic status and gender roles.”

Mason students represent 134 different countries, and GMU has consistently been ranked as one of the most diverse universities in the country.

“It’s a beautiful mix,” Ebadullah Ebadi, a front-desk office assistant at ODIME, said. “You learn and appreciate [other] cultures and backgrounds, which makes the college experience more enjoyable.”

Throughout the academic year, ODIME is active on campus, planning events based on heritage months and working towards a successful Cultural Fusion event in the fall, which is in its third year. They host an annual Martin Luther King Jr. program, conduct the Vision Awards and provide curriculum support, such as classroom

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VOXPOP DIVERSITY MAGAZINE

Mix

workshops on white privilege, class, ethnicity and customs, according to Director Joya Crear.

“From a student’s perspective, having so much [diversity] pushes the university to stay current in what it offers,” Crear said. “To learn in a diverse environment enhances the ability to work with other people and prepares students and faculty to interact on a global level.”

Unfortunately, situations may occur where students of unique backgrounds feel insulted. If such an occasion happens, students and/or faculty members can file a “Biased Incident Report.” Biased Incident Reports can be anonymous. Once collected, a team responds to the report and can reach out to the individual student, said Crear.

“One time a professor called in about someone using racial slurs so they felt uncomfortable,” Ebadi said. “These are very rare cases.”

ODIME also offers a wide variety of services, some of which were similar to those organized by the former Multicultural Research and Resource Center (MRRC). The Office of Diversity Programs and Services merged with the MRRC to form the new office located in Student Union Building I. An outside consultant was brought in to do an evaluation to see if a merge was necessary.

“They were sister offices both working

Rumsha Ahmed | VoxPop Managing Editor

towards multicultural education on campus,” Crear said.

“Everyone thought we were the same, so we merged to use our resources and collective strength.”

Over the summer, the office invites students to participate in STEP, the Student Empowerment and Transition Program, a program designed to help first year students get a head start in college. Students are on campus for five weeks and take two courses while participating in empowerment seminars and having opportunities to obtain jobs on campus. To qualify for STEP, students must be first generation college students or a member of a historically underrepresented population.

“STEP provided personal attention to all issues,” Pervin said. “I know more people because of STEP.” ODIME also helps on-campus organizations financially, providing them with support and encouraging them to work collaboratively with each other, Crear said.

Mason’s 32nd annual International Week, hosted by OIPS, takes place in mid-April.Around 30 identity-based student organizations participate in IWeek. Past themes have been “Celebrate!,” “A Mosaic of

Cultures” and “The Road to Peace.” Some signature events are the opening parade, the dinner dance and the dance competition.

“Mason would not be the same without diversity,” Ebadi said. “Some choose to come here based on its diversity, like me.”

Total student enrollment: 33,320 Black/African-American: 2,747 Asian: 4,362 Hispanic/Latino: 2,729 White/Caucasian: 16,579 Non-resident International: 1,764 Two or More: 1,110 Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 94 Native American/Alaska Native: 71 Non report: 3,864 Statistics taken from the 2011-2012 Facts and Figures Report produced by the Institutional Research & Reporting Department.

Photos by Jake McLernon

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From the Mixing 8

| VOXPOP DIVERSITY MAGAZINE Photo by John Powell

Bowl to...

George Mason University lies less than 20 miles away from Washington, D.C. Not only is the Federal City the hub of government activity and the home of thousands of politicians, lobbyists, journalists and other notables – it is the epicenter of a cultural explosion.

The residents of Washington, D.C. and its surrounding suburbs hail from hundreds of different lands and are part of a countless number of cultures.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 50.7 percent of Washington, D.C.’s population are black, 38.5 percent are white, 9.1 percent are Hispanic or Latino, 3.5 percent are Asian, and 2.9 percent are two or more races.

Whether stopping for a bite to eat at Moby Dick House of Kabob, grabbing lunch at the Well Dressed Burrito, or walking around Chinatown and seeing the beautiful gate right next to the Verizon Center, The District has it all.

The

Located at Seventh and H Street, The Friendship Archway is one of the most recognizable structures in D.C. Constructed in 1986, the archway was a way to commemorate the friendship between Washington and its sister city Beijing.

Melting Pot

PRING 2012 | Yasmin Tadjdeh | VoxPopSEditor-in-Chief

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Luxury

Vehicle Tyler Hollingsworth | Personal narrative

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VOXPOP DIVERSITY MAGAZINE

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he beginning of my seventh grade year was exciting. Happy to be out of the house, I embraced the opportunity to make friends, join clubs and find ways to have fun. Sixth grade was not a year of academic excellence for me, so I was anxious to show the teachers I could learn. I ran for student government – and lost – and chess club and computer club further established my geek identity. Personal appearance wasn’t a major concern for me.

And that year, the doctor said that I should start using a wheelchair, because my ability to walk had diminished enough that I should get used to using one.

From an early age, I hadn’t been able to walk correctly. I went through shoe braces, surgeries and countless doctor’s visits, but it was getting harder for me to walk. I thought that I’d be able to live normally, but unable to do sports. Unfortunately, the doctors confirmed that I needed to make adjustments to my lifestyle for it to be practical in the long-term. I needed to walk less, and use a wheelchair for long distances. Staying off my feet was fairly straightforward, but using a wheelchair – that was something I’d wanted to avoid.

I remember getting the wheelchair out onto the front stoop, for all the world to see. Used, from some family friend, rusted in parts, this was no luxury vehicle. So, embarrassed that the world would see me – and mortified that this would become a daily part of my life – I cleaned it up and put it away inside.

At the time, I thought that being in a wheelchair was a sign of incapability, immaturity and low intelligence. It didn’t help that it looked strange, getting in the wheelchair, and rushing to my next class in the three minutes between classes.

Occasionally the tire would puncture, putting me lopsided until I got the inner tube replaced. Or the ball bearings would bind, slowing me down, until that was fixed. These are not complicated machines, I thought, so why are they so difficult to maintain?

In high school, I had a slightly nicer wheelchair (solid wheels!), which helped me get around the massive building. I remember how when it rained, I could

skid on the slick tile floor in the hallways.

When the elevator broke, I got to use the stairs.

When I started attending George Mason University, I noticed early on that all of the sidewalks are slanted. Hills adorn campus, giving it some of the character and mystique that attracts so many to its halls of learning. Hills are simple enough for a wheelchair. To go up, pushing is required, and to go down, braking is optional. On a slanted sidewalk, though, one is always pushing. My routes from class to class evolved, as I found ways to cut corners, use elevators to get through buildings, and grab food on the way. The sidewalk up to University Mall became less of an obstacle after repeat performances made it clear that it wasn’t as hard as it looked. As time went on, Starbucks became a favorite place to go, despite its location at the top of a hill.

There is an atmosphere of friendliness and consideration at GMU. Being in a wheelchair, this has a unique advantage: some people enjoy pushing wheelchairs!

Seriously though, I appreciate my friends pushing me, on all of the rain-soaked midnight runs to Ike’s, trips home from the gym, and the occasional mail center package retrieval. I don’t see it as an inability to get around campus, but that life is generally more pleasant when my friends offer to push me.

At GMU, I don’t feel different for being in a wheelchair – the wheelchair doesn’t draw attention here like it did in high school. Because of this I have become more confident with who I am and what I want to do with my life. I feel like the only obstacle between me and my future is my work ethic, and my perseverance, but certainly not the use of a wheelchair.

Here, I learned to dance in my chair, at various balls and music events, with friends to cheer me on. Here, I learned to double-check the smoothie to make sure it’s really closed – you only mess that up once. Here, I learned that elevators break all the time. But I am glad for my experience dealing with the wheelchair. I feel like it’s not a big part of my life – just something that I do – but it’s taken some getting used to.

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| VOXPOP DIVERSITY MAGAZINE Photos by Marine Jaouen

4Oyear Old SPONGE

Whether you are young or a late bloomer, doors open when you are a student at George Mason University.

Many people from different walks of life share the unique experience of being a Mason student, and age does not define it.

For Lisa Cotts, an English major who is 43, age is just a number.

Q

Who are you? What are you majoring in?

I’m a late bloomer, [and] I am an English major with a creative writing minor.

Q

life?

What led you to attend college at this stage in

I graduated high school in 1987, and went to the University of Maine as a freshman I lost my funding to go to school so I stopped going. I worked and went to school on and off until I had my own kids, which kept me out of school for 12 years. I enjoyed it all, but I knew there was a part of me that wanted to finish my education; I knew I was capable and I never lost the love of learning. I knew I would come back.

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What interested you in coming to study at Mason?

The creative writing program attracted me to Mason; Mason was my number one choice. Mason is an amazing school and it keeps getting better all the time, there are so many amazing opportunities and I feel blessed to be here and part of the community.

Q

What was it like to adjust to the college life?

It was a challenge coming back to school [and] getting used to carrying the workload. The other workload I

Audrey Mattaino | VoxPop Copy Editor

carry – three kids – has not disappeared, its gotten heavier. Looking back, there is no way I could have done it when they were younger.

After my kids go to bed, I take my “mommy” hat off and put my “student” cap on – and it can take me well into the early morning hours.

School is kind of like my kid now.

I don’t feel stressed out, even though I am a single mom going to school full time – maybe because I’m enjoying it so much. Now I can appreciate that challenges are potential for growth.

When I was younger, I felt like things stressed me out because I hadn’t learned to fully appreciate that challenge as growth material. Now I think, ‘If I can do that, what else can I do?’

If you want something bad enough you will pursue it at all costs, and that [mindset] is definitely making it easier.

Q

Was it hard to fit in with the student body?

The vast majority of students are younger than I am, but I don’t really notice it. I know they’re younger, but I never treat them like they are younger because, academically, they are my equals. Some of the things other students say broaden my horizons.

The people I have had a chance to meet on campus [became] truly outstanding friends. The social aspect of being here has been really great.

Age is just a number; never look at yourself as too old to do anything. If only we can learn to appreciate age as opposed to fearing it. It’s a trade-off; you lose your youth but you gain a lot of things.

As I got older, I had all that time to think about what I want to do, what I am really interested in, and who I want to be. I’m at a really good point in my life – my early 40s are very liberating. My concept of the world and my place in it has changed dramatically. I’m noticing I’m much more reflective. I’m able to take the information given to me and apply it to things right away. When I was younger I hadn’t experienced enough to make those connections. I appreciate my education differently now. I feel like I have become a stronger learner [and] even though I’m a late bloomer, my gifts are still being cultivated. I can see the benefit of doing this a little later in life.

I think that timing is everything in life. For whatever reason, this is the time I’m supposed to be having all of this in my life. Every day I’m maxing out on it. I feel like a 40-year-old sponge, taking as many opportunities as I can possibly take hold of, given my circumstances. You can’t put money on the value of what education does for you as a person, the way that it opens your mind up in so many ways that challenge you as a person and makes you grow exponentially. The value of that never goes away.

Lisa on age and education:

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C A P T U R E D With the click of a shutter, students tell a story that words cannot

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Yasmin Tadjdeh | VoxPop Editor-in-Chief VOXPOP DIVERSITY MAGAZINE

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or some members of the LGBTQ community at George Mason University, words fail to say exactly how they feel – so they turned to photography.

On April 5, nine students who were a part of the PhotoVOICE project, came together and presented a series of photos showcasing the various experiences that LGBTQ students go through at Mason.

The photos varied – from a photo of a student with an alcohol and drug addiction, to photos of gender-neutral bathrooms, to photos of their empowerment – the photos told a story that they could not in words. “[Photos] show people’s emotions more, and you can connect to a person’s face better than you can connect to a page,” said Dani Kreigh, a sophomore psychology student who participated in the project.

Lisa Lindley, an associate professor with the Department of Global and Community Health, who got the idea from a similar project at the University of South Carolina, helped to bring the group of students together last semester.

Calls to participate were made in September, said Lindley, and from there it was history.

Participation required a six-month commitment, and the group met about every two weeks to go over photos and cover various topics like the ethics of photography. Participants were also paid a small stipend of $150 each, and some were able to use their involvement as class participation points.

PhotoVOICE is part of a larger, worldwide project, which seeks to help give historically marginalized people a voice through photos.

“Collectively, as a group, we wanted to tell everyone’s story, because everyone’s experience is different and the experiences that I’ve had – in classrooms, in housing, in dining – [they] are completely different than the person sitting next to me,” said Elizabeth Bodine, a freshman government and international politics major. “Every one of us has a different problem, and yet it can still apply to all of us.”

While sharing stories was the principal function of the project, participants also hoped to inspire those who watched.

“I really hope that change happens, and that people are inspired by our photos and what we said and are ready to make changes on campus,” said sophomore psychology major Jay Banks who participated in the project.

According to Banks, the university needs

Photos by Elizabeth Bodine

to work harder to be more inclusive of all students, and more resources are needed for LGBTQ students. Banks also said that reform is needed in housing, where some students are placed with students who do not match their gender.

Kreigh also called for gender-neutral housing and bathrooms.

“I really want gender-neutral bathrooms and housing,” said Kreigh. “If you identify as male, but you have to live with a female, because your sex is the same, it just sucks.”

When it comes to bathrooms, Kreigh said LGBTQ students often feel unsafe when using gender-specific restrooms.

“Personally, I feel pretty safe, [but] a lot of

other people don’t feel safe going to restrooms where they might be perceived to be something they are not,” said Kreigh.

For Kreigh, participating in PhotoVOICE gave her a way to express herself and at the same time increase awareness about various issues that affect the LGBTQ community, like substance abuse that is sometimes used as an escape method.

“It’s better to talk about problems where people can do something about it, instead

of just talking to my friends about what’s wrong. This was a venue where I could actually be heard by supervisors and say what I need,” said Kreigh. “With photos, like the one where someone was passed out after drinking, you can’t capture that in the same way in writing. It shows you the depression, it shows you the escapism that is [sometimes] used.”

For Arin Stackhouse, a student and member of the audience at the event, the photos spoke volumes.

“What bothers me is how Mason boasts and brags about its diversity, but it hasn’t really taken measures to make sure that its diversity is safe,” said Stackhouse.

According to Stackhouse, who identifies as a trans guy, he and his friends often feel nervous and scared to walk around campus at night, especially when wearing clothes that match their identities.

Stackhouse also feels uncomfortable using restrooms on campus. “[I] don’t feel safe going into certain restrooms on campus because they are gender binary restrooms,” said Stackhouse. “Being a trans guy, on days when I may not be binding, where you can clearly see I have a chest – it’s really uncomfortable and unnerving having to choose which restroom to go in, having to wait for there not to be people around, and for there not to be anyone in the men’s restroom.”

But while some participants and members of the audience say that more needs to be done for students, many agree that they love Mason and the work that has been done so far.

For some members of the LGBTQ community, using the restroom can be a stressful experience. In Student Union Building I, students can use a gender-neutral restroom.

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# @ I fit no stereotypes. I’m a nerd that’s athletic, a white guy with rhythm and moves, and a CS major that gets out and has fun. @MasonVoxPop

@MasonVoxPop I am of two mixes: Indian + Puerto Rican.

Music is the international language I speak to love all backgrounds/religions/gender

@DJPakiRican

@CarmencitasT

@JewishSWAGG

born in spain, raised in the states. never lived in the same house for more than 3 yrs. catholic. filipino. cuban. spaniard. @masonvoxpop

twitter How are you DIVERSE in 140 characters?

@kozafluitmuziek

Graduated h.s. in NL. American dad but he didn’t really live in US till 18. have friends who live(d)/ natives in 6 continents. @masonvoxpop

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VOXPOP DIVERSITY MAGAZINE

@masonvoxpop I’m Lebanese but raised in America so culture wise I would say that I’m 50/50.

We celebrate traditions from both cultures!

@djskarleezy

George Mason University

Child Development Center

“When an individual is protesting society's refusal to acknowledge his dignity as a human being, his very act of protest confers dignity on him.”

- Bayard Rustin, 1960s Civil and Gay Rights Activist

“Rich in tradition.

Radical in spirit.”

Celebrating Diversity Everyday!

4402 University Drive, Fairfax VA www.gmu.edu/depts/cdc/

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Branches of the same tree “I believe that we are all flowers in the garden of life. No flower is exactly the same or tremendously different...”

Raquel Sands | Personal narrative

W

hat is diversity? Diversity is the state of variety, a multiform that transcends duality. It encompasses everything from gender, ethnicity, age, economic class, beliefs, experiences, political ideologies, preferences, mindset and more.

It is a never-ending staircase that goes up, down and around so many levels that cannot be counted. Now, in the 21st century, diversity is the name of the game. Knowing about others and understanding and interacting with various cultures are essential to any field that one goes into.

So, what makes me diverse? I am all encompassing. I am a Salvadorian, Spanish and British descendant who is a global affairs major at George Mason University. Spanish was my first language, learned from my family and being surrounded with the culture as a toddler. It wasn’t until pre-school that I learned English and began to identify with American music and values such as freedom of expression.

Because the world is becoming more connected, I decided to learn Mandarin Chinese, a beautiful language with its own special qualities and richness.

Also, I am spiritual, which for me is a lifestyle that understands the interconnectedness of the known religions and faiths. Being spiritual, I see the beauty and truth of diverse beliefs as one and the same.

Since I was a little girl, diversity played an essential role in my upbringing.

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VOXPOP DIVERSITY MAGAZINE

Being born in Arlington, Va. but being raised in West Palm Beach, Fla., my neighbors ranged from Caucasian, Colombian, Indian and African-American; not to mention that the majority of South Florida is filled with immigrants from the Caribbean states of Haiti, Dominican Republic and Cuba.

It was a beautiful time in my life, to play on bicycles and roller blades with kids who had different stories and identities. Since then, my diversity has molded into one in which I have adapted Asian traditions into my daily lifestyle, from eating a variety of vegetable and tofu stir-fry’s and using chopsticks to practicing Taoist beliefs and martial arts on a regular basis.

I believe that we are all flowers in the garden of life. No flower is exactly the same or tremendously different from the others that they can no longer identify with being a flower. It is the similarities which connect us all and the differences which make us special.

Being the daughter of two Salvadorian immigrants has also made a tremendous impact on my diversity because my parents had to overcome life struggles that influenced their cultural selves. They instilled in me their cultural values and the wisdom to understand others as they have felt the displacement that comes from leaving one’s native country.

My father, Ricardo Sands, is from Santa Ana, El Salvador. He is an entrepreneur of sorts, a born teacher

and devoted learner of the world.

He left his country at the age of 17, has lived in the United States for 28 years and got his citizenship when I was four-years-old. He has dedicated his life to his family, and through any obstacles that he faced he has always held an open mind, a thankful heart, and an extraordinary trait of being able to adapt in order to persevere. He says, “For me when you speak about being diverse, you speak about being yourself. There is no other person like you. So, diversity is being unique.”

Aother very unique person as well is the giver of my life — my mother. I can say whole-heartedly that as she has made a great impact on my life; she does so incessantly with the lives and minds of others. With a Master’s degree in educational leadership and a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish, a passerby could say that she has fulfilled the “American Dream.” By coming from a foreign land with very little and making herself a better life, she has overcome. I am not sure if it is the American Dream, but she has fulfilled her dream. Her dream to teach others how to better their lives through the hard work and value of education has led her to different careers, places and people.

In 2010 my mother, Ana Sands, began working for Mason Links at GMU. Mason Links is a program that was created to be a supportive environment for service entry-level employ-

ees, specifically for those who work in the areas of housing, facilities, parking and dining. The general purpose is to teach them English so that they can be effective at Mason. My mom is the English teacher in Mason Links; to these Mason employees she is a constant guide who opens doors of possibilities towards the future.

“My role at Mason Links is very important. In terms of providing support to these employees who need to integrate themselves into the Mason community, the position of English teacher is vital as it brings various groups together for a common cause,” my mother said.

“Being an immigrant woman com-

ing to the United States with limited resources, I can show that it is possible to go to college and to grow at a greater level. I see the impact in serving as a role model.

”

As a second semester sophomore, I wanted be a role model to promote diversity at a bigger level than myself. Through family and friend supPhotos courtesy of Raquel Sands

port I took the initiative to become a student senator in Student Government. On March 1 I took an oath to fulfill my duty as a representative of the students, to be a voice for their wants, needs and concerns. And as a student senator I want to be at the forefront in promoting diversity at a whole new level; not by simply sitting with different people in the Johnson Center or Southside; not by simply being a student in classes with people from different ethnic backgrounds. I want to have in depth conversations about cultural values and traditions and promote events that appreciate and educate others about countries and customs all over the world. There are also parts of diversity that include dietary preferences, environmental causes, gender identity and religiosity that I would like to illuminate.

Being a university student at Mason, I can say whole-heartedly that diversity is what brought me to this university.

When I was a high school senior I was faced with many colleges to choose from within Virginia. After analyzing all of them thoroughly, my first choice was GMU. My reasons varied from the college campus atmosphere, locality and cost of tuition, but what determined my decision was the level of exposure and intensity of diversity that Mason had. I remember being at orientation and walking around campus, seeing all the people of different colors, shapes and sizes walking to and from classes. I said to myself, “This is where I want to be. This is where I want to go to college.” This yearning for being with others from countries all over the globe was more than just wanting to see variety and difference.

It was about having the experience to learn from others, their cultures, thoughts and beliefs but most importantly to learn about how to interact with others and be a more well-rounded individual. I believe that wanting to understand others is crucial for selfdevelopment at any age; it shows an openness to others’ ideas that maybe different from one’s own.

“Diversity to me is a big a tree, the tree called unity, with many branches stretching up and beyond into many directions, all coming from the same trunk, the same essence.

”

Health systems, religions, nations, cultures, sciences and environment are all branches from the same tree.

Regardless of discrepancies or differences, diversity is fundamentally uniqueness. At a large or small scale, we are individuals and in that we are naturally diverse.

For there may be other Hispanics, Asian-Americans and many other people who enjoy classical, salsa and jazz music, but there is only one person like you. It is more than just thinking of colors and locations, as it is usually thought of in the generality.

Everyone and everything is already diverse for being their natural self. As scientists have proven with data found by studying twins, even two humans completely identical in the biological aspect are fundamentally separate from their inner selves, in areas such as tastes, preferences, thoughts, opinions and hobbies. Diversity is innate within us.

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Michael Lagana* | Broadside Staff Writer

T

Behind

the

counter

A glimpse into Mason’s Sodexo workers

alk to me, talk to me” are familiar words heard echoing from Original Burger through the second floor of The HUB (Student Union Building II). The voice beckons customers in line to choose the toppings they want piled on their burgers and has become a hallmark element of the Original Burger experience. But what is the story behind this voice? And what makes Original Burger so efficient in delivering hot, quality burgers to customers?

“It’s all about teamwork here.

Everyone works together,” Original Burger shift supervisor Abdul Kowsar said. “We try to deliver 100-percent customer satisfaction.”

At Original Burger, customers can customize their burgers any way they want and can choose from several different meats, toppings and sauces.

Additionally, customers can choose from a variety of milkshakes and salads.

But customized burgers are not the only part of the Original Burger experience. Team member Rob McCrary, the man behind the voice greeting customers in line with “Talk to me,” has been working at Original Burger since the new dining venue was opened in spring

2011. McCrary leaves his home in Lorton, Va., around 8 a.m. each day, taking three different buses to reach work around 10:45 a.m. Despite the long commute, McCrary enjoys his job and regularly converses with customers.

“If students didn’t enjoy the service, they wouldn’t come. I keep an upbeat spirit to keep the students happy,” McCrary said.

Asked about his talent for filling orders quickly and accurately, McCrary said, “It’s a gift from God. I’ve been cooking for years, and I know that some customers may not know what they want. So I try to help them along by saying, ‘talk to me.’”

For Kowsar, Original Burger is more than just a job — it’s a community where co-workers support one another to deliver the best service possible.

“Everyone’s nice here, and we all work together. If team members see another team member struggling, they pitch in to help,” Kowsar said.

Keeping customers happy is at the core of working at Original Burger, according to McCrary. “I enjoy the students. I don’t have a lot of money, but my riches are in seeing them happy.”

* This article originally appeared in Broadside, and has been edited.

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Rumsha Ahmed | VoxPop Managing Editor

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hat do Nelson Mandela, Bishop Desmond Tutu and Princess Grace Kelly have in common? They have all met Charles Dunne, the customer relations supervisor who works at Southside after immigrating to the United States 44 years ago from Limrick, Ireland.

While working in Ireland, Dunne came across all sorts of celebrities, whether by serving the head table or by getting asked if he had a cigarette when passing through. This year is his fifth at Mason.

“I came here on my honeymoon with my wife to see the sites of Washington,” Dunne said. “The manager at the Key Bridge Marriott said, ‘Why not work with us?’”

Dunne was a waiter and bartender in Dublin before immigrating. After living in Santa Barbara, Calif. for two years working at the Biltmore, he moved to Virginia.

“My wife and I decided to stay here for two years,” he said. “We went back [to Ireland] after 10 years and stayed for four months, it was so quiet — there

were no big supermarkets, life was very different in the United States.”

Receiving his green card within two months after applying, he and his wife left for the States, Dunne being the first in his family to do so. With no telephones or e-mail available, Dunne kept in touch by sending letters, some of

which he has kept. He visits his homeland every year for three to four weeks.

“We didn’t know anyone, we just took a chance,” Dunne said. “There’s no place in the world like America.”

Besides the diversity and busy lifestyle America has compared to Ireland, Dunne mentioned the differences in management. Dunne recalls when outgoing president Alan Merten would come for Christmas and participate in Saint Patrick’s Day. “In Ireland, the manager would walk by and wouldn’t recognize you,” he said.

“But here, everything is so different. If you see Ram [Nabar, resident district manager of Sodexo] he’ll shake hands with you. When I see that I think, ‘Isn’t this wonderful?’”

At Southside, one can find the Irishman helping on the cash register or lines, while passing suggestions and complaints from the students to the managers.

“Everyone is so alive and enthusiastic,” Dunne said. “When you enjoy your job, you never work a day in your life.”

guages spoken as well, though Spanish and Chinese is spoken primarily in the Southside kitchen.

“To be honest, a lot of times when I work in the dish room, I think I’m the only one who speaks English in there.

It’s hard to hold a conversation that way,” said Burton.

The many languages spoken among the staff members can be a challenge at times, and as Burton puts it, “sometimes it’s a little hard to relay what exactly they want to say.”

In the end, the efforts to communicate and understand are a learning experi-

ence for everybody.

“I know two words in Chinese, I’m trying to learn a little bit of Spanish, so [the learning] will be two-sided. [Other workers] try to talk to me in Spanish so I can learn, but we work it out and we all understand each other in the end,” Burton said.

As different as the cultures are, being a part of the diverse staff is a unifying and fulfilling experience, and when it comes down to it, they are all working together.

Audrey Mattaino | VoxPop Copy Editor

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eorge Mason University boasts a diverse student body and faculty, and the staff members who help run the university are no less diverse.

Nadira Burton, an African-American neuroscience major and Sodexo worker, offers a glimpse behind the serving window and into the diverse experience of being a staff member at Mason.

“I could be walking, and I hear someone speaking one language in one ear and another language in another ear,” Burton said.

She is just one of the many unique people that make up the diverse staff at Sodexo.

Burton comes from fast-paced New York City and is a member of the international Church of Christ and enjoys the diversity that makes up Mason.

“I like seeing many cultures; you can learn a lot from other people,” Burton said.

There are many chances to learn about other cultures as a part of the Sodexo staff: on any given day, Burton can find herself working alongside people from Guatemala, Cuba, Mexico, Vietnam and China. There are a multitude of lan-

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studentSoldier Yasmin Tadjdeh | VoxPop Editor-in-Chief

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or many students, starting their freshman year can be a stressful experience; packing your bags, moving away from home and living with strangers all can be hard to deal with initially.

But for Walter Sweeney, a freshman economics major at George Mason University, his experience was a bit different.

Sweeney, a former Marine who served seven months in Afghanistan, isn’t your typical freshman -- he’s 26, been around the world and served in the Marines for four years. Sweeney has seen more things than the average 18-year-old freshman has, but he still sits next to them in class.

For many veterans, coming to college can be a difficult time – going from close relationships like those in the military to college friendships can be a difficult transition. Coupled with large age gaps, many veterans find themselves alone and have issues relating to their younger classmates, said Sweeney.

“To try and reach out and build a meaningful friendship and a meaningful relationship like you’re used to in the military, with someone who is so many years younger than you — in age and maturity — it’s difficult,” Sweeney said. “For the most part, I wanted to not [just] make friends, but make friends that challenged me, that understand me, and that I also understand, and we have some common ground between us.”

As president of the Veteran’s Society and the College Veterans for Hire, Sweeney has made it his mission to gain the trust of fellow veterans and help them feel at home and make real friendships.

“I try to focus more on the social aspect of things, and give people opportunities to get together socially and make friends,” said Sweeney.

Often, members of the different groups get together and hold happy hours or cookouts, and even go canoeing sometimes.

“The big focus is just to try and encourage that sense of community among the student veterans,” Sweeney said.

For Sweeney, while the military was a large part of his life, it is not his defining feature. Rather, he is a mix of a student, a soldier and a friend.

“Being in the military is one of the things that defines me. Being a student at Mason is one of the things that define me. I lived overseas when I was younger — that’s part of what defines me. There [are] too many things that are significant parts of my life that I can say, ‘Oh, it’s this one identifying thing,’” Sweeney said.

Besides being an active member of the Veteran’s Society and the College Veterans for Hire, Sweeney also frequents the Office of Military Services.

OMS, located in the Johnson Center, helps student veterans transition from military life to college, and from college to career. They, along with the Veteran’s Society, the College Veterans for Hire and the Sempre Fi Society, help build community.

OMS also works to cut through the red tape that is often present when trying to use the educational benefits that the government gives veterans, known as the GI Bill through the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs. The GI Bill, for those with full eligibility, gives veterans a housing allowance, a book stipend and pays for academic fees and in-state tuition.

“The OMS offers guidance through the process of using the educational benefits [of the GI Bill],” said Sweeney. “It’s not always cut and dry easy, press a button and you get it — there are miles of paperwork and all sorts of bureaucracy to make sure it’s working properly. So the OMS helps streamline that and is kind of the link between not only the VA, who dispenses the education benefits, and the students, but also between the school’s administration and the students.”

Photo courtesy of Walter Sweeney

? Did You Know?...

134 countries • There are 315 recognized student organizations • Mason is one of the top 100 universities for LGBT students • There are 35 identity-based student organizations • There are 6,000 students living on campus • Mason students represent

University Life creates purposeful learning environments,

experiences, and opportunities that energize ALL students to broaden their capacity for academic success and personal growth.

http://ulife.gmu.edu/

The Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education leads the University in creating an inclusive learning environment through identity development and cultural competency. http://odime.gmu.edu

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University Life

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VOXPOP DIVERSITY MAGAZINE

diversity

VoxPop Diversity is a Student Media Publication. Follow us on Twitter at @MasonVoxPop.

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