THE
BLUE &GRAY
THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER
PRESS
February 6, 2020
VOLUME 93 | ISSUE 15 SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE
1922
Farmer’s Legacy: powerful influence of Civil Rights leader and UMW professor survives in the hearts of former students
Kaley McCusty Staff Writer
class with Farmer as life-changing. “In Dr. Farmer ‘s class, it was more than just reading a history book; we had UMW is currently celebrating what someone who lived and made history,” would have been James Farmer’s 100th he said. “From phone conversations with birthday. Farmer, who was a history Bobby Kennedy to leaving Louisiana in and American studies professor at Mary a hearse under cover of night to avoid Washington from 1985 to 1998, is getting lynched, Dr. Farmer weaved a remembered fondly by alumni who took grand narrative in a way that was deeply his classes. intimate.” “Dr. Farmer engaged his students During Farmer’s tenure at Mary by telling Washington, stories,” said Kim “From phone conversations with his classes were highly sought Isaac, class Bobby Kennedy to leaving Louisiana after, filling the of 1986. in a hearse under cover of night to lecture hall in “He drew Monroe. avoid getting lynched, Dr. Farmer us into the “It was a story and weaved a grand narrative in a way class everyone made us that was deeply intimate.” took when I feel like we was here… his lived it. As class… [was a] a history -Dennis Rudnick rite of passage, major, it a collective was such a special treat to take his class experience for us in those days. It was because it wasn’t something we read something all Mary Washington College in a book. He brought the Civil Rights students did at one point – take that Movement to us in living color.” class, read his book,“ said Ornstein. Many of Farmer’s students remember Farmer’s ability as a storyteller and him as a gifted storyteller and credit real-world experience had a significant him with an ability to bring history and lasting impact on his students. to life. Len Ornstein, class of 1994, “My time with James Farmer inspires described Farmer as “...an icon. He had me, every day, to fight for racial and this booming voice. He was a master social justice,” Rudnick said. “I am a storyteller.” better scholar, advocate and human.” Dennis Rudnick described taking a
Farmer’s inclination towards activism and social justice seemed to be contagious. His students walked away with a greater passion for justice and doing what’s right. “[He taught us that] standing up for what is right is important, and although the consequences may be dangerous it is still the right thing to do,” said Ellen Valentine, class of 1993. Other students of Farmer echoed Farmer’s classes filled lecture halls during his tenure as a history and American the sentiment. studies professor at Mary Washington. Houston Public Media Ornstein he teaches his students today. spoke to how his “Prior to my class, time with Farmer changed the way that •Farmer | 7 none of my students
Dining Services clarifies pricing system for new Panera Bread get how many [meal swipes for menu items] or how much flex,” said Sarah Hendrickson, a junior English and theatre major. Students have also noticed Panera cashiers using calculators when ringing up customers’ orders. According to Christine Porter, who serves as Dining Services Liaison for UMW, all items available on the Panera menu can be purchased for meal swipes. Unlike other on-campus retail locations such
as Vocelli Pizza, Panera does not use not have tax applied to them. the UMW retail system in the registers; “When you use your meal plan, you they use Panera Bread’s standard retail don’t pay tax,” she said. “So [the price] system. For that reason, they cannot is going to be higher when you’re paying Panera Bread opened in the input meal swipes into their registers. with a credit card or cash.” University Center this semester in the That’s where the calculators come Until recently, the Panera closed at location previously occupied by Qdoba, in. Panera cashiers need to calculate 6 p.m. “It’s that way because we had to Jamba Juice, and Lil Joe’s. Nearly a how many meal swipes – the equivalent make a choice,” said Porter. “We had to month after opening, students are still of between four and five dollars – can either delay the opening by another two expressing some confusion regarding the be applied to a single order, and how weeks or so, or set up shorter operating new Panera’s operation. much flex needs to be used to cover hours because of the assistance that “I kind of wish I knew when I can the remaining balance. In we’re receiving addition to the from Panera “When you use your standard register Corporate.” meal plan, you don’t pay system, the onThis means campus location that the hours tax. So [the price] is going also uses Panera were limited to to be higher when you’re allow time for Bread’s standard paying with a credit card UMW dining menu, so it is not specialized to employees to or cash.” reflect UMW’s receive training meal system. from Panera -Christine Porter Porter said that Corporate there are plans to employees. As replace the current of Saturday, on-display menu with a more Feb. 1, the Panera hours have been specialized version, to include extended to 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday meal deals. through Friday, and noon-7 p.m. on In response to questions weekends. regarding price differences As Bodacious Burgers was supposed when using cash as opposed to close when Panera opened, students to a meal plan, Porter clarified were surprised to see it Students paying with credit card or cash will pay more at Panera than those using UMW’s meal plan. still in the Eagles Nest •Panera | 7 Tamara Omer / The Blue & Gray Press that meal swipes and flex do Deanna Biondi Staff Writer
IN THIS
ISSUE
AJR SHOW
Pilot program
Kobe Bryant
Students attend show following spring concert.
Shooter safety steps taken by some academic buildings.
NBA legend dies at age 47, students remember at event.
LIFE | 4
VIEWPOINTS | 3
SPORTS | 8
NEWS THE
Editors: Kate Seltzer & Abigail Buchholz | blueandgray.news@gmail.com
BLUE & GRAY PRESS
MISSION The Blue & Gray Press is published every Thursday in the University Apartments Clubhouse for our university community. The goal of The Blue & Gray Press is to produce high quality and accurate news in a manner compliant with the Society of Professional Journalists ethics code. In its coverage, The Blue & Gray Press strives to highlight the community of the University of Mary Washington, as well as deliver fair and accurate coverage on the issues important to our students.
EDITORS-AT-LARGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lauren Closs
Associate Editors Grace Winfield Ginny Bixby
Business Manager Lucas Burkholder
SECTION EDITORS NEWS Kate Seltzer Abigail Buchholz
VIEWPOINTS Alicen Hackney
LIFE Cosima Pellis
SPORTS Jack Hagn
ONLINE Meaghan McIntyre Samuel Cobb
PHOTO Cayley McGuire
FACULTY ADVISOR Sushma Subramanian
Campus opinion split on new Virginia gun laws Kaitlyn O’Gorman Staff Writer
of regulation, but I also understand their constitutional rights. that people break laws all the time, so Despite the protesters’ efforts, the what’s going to stop them from getting On Jan. 17, the Virginia Senate Virginia Senate passed the “red flag” law guns even if passed three bills which sparked on Jan. 22. immediate tension not only throughout For some But [most of] the new laws would we create more laws regulating Virginia, but across the country. These students, not have prevented that shooting. them.” bills will allow localities to ban guns Virginia’s The reality is that gun control laws do Patricia in public spaces, limit consumers to previous gun Puccetti, a senior one handgun purchase per month, and control laws not prevent shootings. A murderer is psychology require universal background checks were sufficient. inherently a criminal and will not obey major, is also on gun sales. The “red flag” law, which Emily laws.” against increased will allow authorities to temporarily McPhee, a communications gun control. confiscate firearms from anyone that -Maddox Robinson and digital “The new gun is deemed dangerous to themselves or control laws are allegedly driven by the studies major, spoke in support of lawothers, was still being proposed at this Virginia Beach shooting. But [most of] abiding citizens owning guns. time. the new laws would not have prevented “A lot of my family is in the military To protest increased gun control, that shooting. The reality is that gun and my step-dad is a police officer so an estimated 22,000 pro-gun activists control laws do not prevent shootings. guns were very normal for me growing rallied while openly carrying in A murderer is inherently a criminal and up, but a lot of people think that guns are Richmond on Jan. 20. The shared fear will not obey laws,” said Puccetti. dangerous and that we should regulate amongst the protesters on that day was Other students support the legislation them more,” said McPhee. “It definitely that these bills are a slippery slope from Richmond and hope that it will makes sense for there to be some sort towards the government taking away create a safer state and more educated citizens. Maddox Robinson, a senior psychology major, said, “I saw some clips from the Richmond demonstration and I saw one guy holding what looked like an assault rifle with the muzzle balanced on his foot and I just thought ‘yeah, I think we do need stronger regulations and part of that should be that you need to know how to use a gun.” The gun debate hits close to home for UMW students, where just last semester they experienced a gun threat, despite the campus having a strictly enforced gun policy. Following last semester’s gun threat, the idea of an open carry campus appeals to some students. •Gun Laws | 7 ABC News Even
Bodacious Burgers to remain open for the time being this semester. “I
•Panera | 1 thought it was supposed to
be a temporary thing,” said Britney Walters, a senior English major. “I like it over there, but I was confused to see it still here this semester.”
“It’s that way because we had to make a choice. We had to either delay the opening by another two weeks or so, or set up shorter operating hours because of the assistance that we’re receiving from Panera Corporate.” -Christine Porter Porter clarified, “They had only intended to have Bodacious Burgers open in the fall of 2019. It was a lot more popular than anyone expected. The feedback we were getting was that people wanted Bodacious Burgers to stay open, so they chose to keep it open this semester.”
Despite originally only intended thing. A lot of times it depends on for the fall, Bodacious Burgers was whether or not they can staff [Bodacious reopened at the beginning of this Burgers], but I can confirm that it will be semester, according to the Bodacious open for the spring,” said Porter. Burgers page of the UMW Sodexo dining website, “during the Panera Bread transitioning period.” Now that Panera is up-and-running, however, Bodacious Burgers remains popular.. “My understanding is that it’s doing really well,” Porter said. “They expected sales at Bodacious Burgers to go down when Panera opened, and that has not been the case.” Bodacious Burgers shares a register space with Hissho Sushi, which opened in fall of 2018. During peak lunch hours, employees often work both the Bodacious Burgers and Hissho Sushi registers simultaneously. “Right now I think it’s As of Feb. 1, Panera’s operating hours were extended. a semester-by-semester Tamara Omer / The Blue & Gray Press
CORRECTIONS for THE Week In a Jan. 30 article titled “Humans of UMW: Bilqiis Sheikh-Issa on minorities and mental health,” Sheikh-Issa’s name was misspelled in the headline. The correct spelling is Bilqiis Sheikh-Issa. PLEASE REPORT ANY MISTAKES SEEN IN THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS TO Lauren Closs, blueandgray.eic@gmail.com or Sushma Subramanian, ssubrama@umw.edu
2
Thursday, February 6, 2020
VIEWPOINTS
Editor: Alicen Hackney | blueandgray.views@gmail.com
Pilot plan for shooter safety needs campus-wide continuity VICTORIA PERCHERKE Staff Writer
On Nov. 18, a faculty member received a gun threat via voicemail, which led the University to operate on a shelter-in-place warning. I was unaware of the situation at hand until my friend insisted I go to my apartment. She had received an email warning. I asked myself, “Why did I not receive an email regarding the shelter-in-place when my peers did?” It wasn’t until 20 minutes later that I received the warning. Months have followed since the incident and still, there are concerns about what the University’s security plan is for an active shooter. Sam Price, a communication and digital studies major, said that for the most part, she feels safe on campus. “I felt like the University could’ve communicated better than they did. I was mostly upset that they didn’t notify parents,” Price said. Since the incident, the faculty of Combs Hall has agreed on a new pilot plan for the building. However, this will not suffice. The University of Mary Washington needs to provide pilot plans for every building before they come up with an official University plan. A pilot plan, or pilot project, is an initial action implemented to test out or improve an idea before it is set in stone. Having most of my classes in Combs Hall, all of my professors had informed my peers and me about the new pilot plan: to keep the classroom doors locked while class is in session. However, when I went to my class in Jepson, I was not informed by my professor about the nearby exits and how the door would be locked. The campus-wide lack of continuity on important policies is concerning… especially when it comes to student safety. When asked why the same precautions were not taken campus-wide, English department chair Gary
Richards provided responded that the faculty of Combs took it upon themselves to find a temporary safety solution. “The provost, Nina Mikhalevsky, invited all the faculty and staff in Combs with Dean Rucker and Chief Hall to talk about what had happened [in November],” said Richards. All professors who are housed in the departments in Combs were sent an email inviting them to participate in this trial experiment. Richards stated that “some professors might not want to participate in this. It was the committee of the chairs of the departments in Combs and the office managers who agreed to take this procedure on.” The meeting consisted of creating a list of suggestions and guidelines that the English Pilot program includes utilizing locks and door jams, saving university Department thought would help. money. Sara Weisman / The Blue & Gray Press “We tried to make it clear that this was a pilot included that the delay of emails sent out to the students program,” said Richards. “We know that this isn’t was corrected. “It is clear that the University needs perfect, but we felt that we needed to do something extra training.” Hall confirmed that there are meetings in a small way, and in a quick manner. The idea is if a being scheduled in the month of February to discuss door [is] already locked, that all one would have to do one-on-one training with each of the professors. is whether it is shut, or propped open, that you would Political science major Lauren Westendorf suggested just have to kick the prop out. Any kind of barrier, even that a campus-wide announcement system like the if the lock could be shot and opened, that’s enough of a severe weather siren could alert everyone, even in the barrier to keep the shooter moving.” surrounding area, of an emergency immediately. She By April, the Combs faculty and staff will assess the also inquired whether it would be possible for warnings performance of the pilot. If there is a positive response, to be communicated via speakers on the blue light soon there would be a door prop provided for every system. classroom on campus. Each building will be responsible Hall encouraged everybody on campus to download for their own pilot plan due to the differences in the Guardian App. Hitting any of the emergency buttons architecture. With rare exceptions, Combs has locked on the app immediately sets an alarm off at Brent Hall. doors with no windows that face the hallways. “I don’t take it lightly that kids in the past haven’t made Chief of Police Michael Hall said, “Community it home to their parents due to a school shooting. So, if and student safety is top priority. We want to make we have to spend a bunch of money to ensure safety, sure everyone’s kids get back home safely.” Hall also then we will.”
Unpaid internships impractical experential Staff Ed: learning credit for full-time, working students coronavirus does not CHEYENNE KERN Staff Writer
As college tuition continues to rise, the pressure for UMW students does, too. Between balancing extracurricular activities, work and classes, some students struggle to fulfill the experiential learning requirement. Most choose to pursue an internship, many of which are unpaid and require the same legwork as a part-time or full-time job. UMW should consider a life experience credit option. As a full-time student, senior and English major Sierra Heiderman started the semester working about 8.5 hours a week for the English department on campus and about 30 hours a week working for the YMCA. She and her coworkers had to create weekly lesson plans that they taught the children before and after school, an ideal job for Heiderman as she is also in the education program. In order to fulfill her experiential learning requirement and gain experience in the English field, Heiderman applied for an English internship and was selected to participate. The internship, however, required five hours a week unpaid. It didn’t seem feasible to add on top of being a full-time student working two jobs. She decided to quit YMCA, her main source of income. “I had to wake up at 4:30 for the job and it
Some students believe internships are asking too much and returning too little.
Thursday, February 6, 2020
prevented me from being able to stay up late and work on homework.” She continued, “The internship is unpaid unfortunately which does leave me nervous money-wise because now I only have a job that I work eight hours a week at. So that makes me worried. The whole situation has been very stressful.” The option of life experience credits would provide a solution for students who are unable to support themselves without working outside of school on top of a possibly unpaid internship. The University of Phoenix provides the option of students to write a journal in which they explain what they learned from something they have done that provided life experience. There are a group of topics to choose from, such as communications, interdisciplinary/electives, physical education and more. These topics are then divided further into subjects such as acting, retail principles, parenting, etc. Providing the possibility for students to receive credit for outside of school experience is incredibly useful for those who don’t have the time or can’t afford to do internships. When asked about this idea for UMW, Heiderman said, “I think UMW should definitely look into implementing something like [life experience credits]. Life experiences are so much more important than people give them credit for and can be just as important or more than an internship.” Since the general education curriculum is in the process of rolling over into the new curriculum, it would not be expected for this change to be considered for some time. “The question of credits for life experience is a different issue and is something that would have to be carefully evaluated,” said Nicole Crowder, the chair of the General Education Committee. There is no denying that internships have value. However, it can be nearly impossible for some students during their studies. I believe the committee should begin to consider this as an option for students since general life experience is just as useful as an internship.
dylandgillis / Unsplash
excuse xenophobia By THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS EDITORIAL BOARD
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared the novel coronavirus as a global health emergency. This week UMW has sent students an update on the virus which has not touched Virginia. There have been over 20,000 confirmed cases in China, and, as of publication, the WHO has reported 146 confirmed cases in 23 other countries. There are serious concerns of a global pandemic, but the coronavirus has sadly sparked an increase in racist incidents, some centuries-old prejudices, against Asians and especially Chinese people. Tik Tok user and 21-year-old Vietnamese American, Trang Dong, was shocked to find a plethora of microaggressions in the comments of a funny video posted. In the clip, Dong slurps leftover broth from pho. The joke is that she’s using chopsticks to hold the spoon. While many excused their comments as jokes, they are microaggressions. And they indeed are racist. Dong says the memes, words and videos mocking the virus damage her sense of well being, and has even had to face xenophobia in the classrooms of the University of California, Berkeley. “[People saying] ‘stay away from your Asian friends’ or ‘stay away from international students’ is really upsetting to see,” Dong said. Just last week, UC Berkeley’s health center posted a handout listing common reactions to the outbreak on Instagram. People were stunned, outraged and disappointed as their eyes fell upon one symptom. It read, “Xenophobia: fears about interacting with those who might be from Asia and guilt about those feelings.” As an Asian American, Dong is quoted saying that she feels like a “perpetual foreigner in the country I was born in, in the country I was raised in.” We will not stand for the outbreak to serve as a form of validation or excuse for racist actions, words and xenophobia. It is time to practice sympathy and compassion. This staff editorial was led by Grace Winfield.
3
LIFE
Editor: Cosima Pellis blueandgray.life@gmail.com
UMW students attend AJR show after their spring concert performance
CHEYENNE KERN Staff Writer
attendees were long-time fans and others became fans at the show, people from both parties report seeing AJR again at the Anthem in part due to the emotional connection that the band made with those
On Monday Jan. 20, AJR headlined at the Anthem in Washington D.C. for the later end of their “Neotheater World Tour.” The concert featured many songs that the band performed at the UMW spring concert last year, along with many new songs from their latest album, “Neotheater.” Unlike the show at UMW that did not acknowledge any of the band’s songs from their first album, “Neotheater” paid homage to many of their past songs. In a visually enticing transition to “The Entertainment’s Here,” trumpet player J.J. Kirkman walked in place on stage in front of a pink grid as he performed a mashup of various past songs with fans proudly singing the lyrics. The band also revived the bit used at UMW in which they lead into a song by showing how they created and produced the key sounds. Overall, “Neotheater,” the album and tour, have a greater focus on the themes of growing up, graduating and the emotional turmoil associated with the transition into adulthood than their AJR recently completed their “Neotheater World Tour.” former album and show at UMW. At the spring concert, AJR included going through the same growing pains two songs from the “Neotheather” their music encompasses. album before it was released. One One recent UMW graduate and song, “Don’t Throw Out my Legos,” biology major, Carina Martin, attended focused on growing up and moving the spring concert prior to graduation and out, a sentiment that resonated heavily was heavily affected by “Don’t Throw with some students who attended the Out my Legos.” The song was a very show on campus. While some of these unexpected and accurate representation
of the emotions she was feeling at the time. She said, “They took me out of my denial and made me face the fact that I was about to be an adult and that things
said, “Seeing them this time showed me how far I had come since then, and that song made me happy.” Another student, junior Anna Beth Tanner, reported having a different emotional connection to the band after seeing them on campus. She said, “I was an orientation leader and a few of us were sitting at one of the HCC study rooms listening to AJR and we all looked at each other and said, ‘Let’s buy tickets!’ so we got excited and got our tickets right then and there.” Senior Katlin Lawrence related to the college age connection and said, “it’s kind of interesting to listen to someone your age struggle with the same things you are and see them come out successful while doing it. But their album ‘Neotheater’ combined all the feelings of anticipation, doubt, excitement and uncertainty that most people our age, graduating college, are also going through which makes it really relatable and seeing them in concert again really drove that home for me.” It is very clear that AJR’s music IHeartRadio.com resonated very deeply with students and that the timeline of releasing were going to get uncomfortable, but that “Neotheater,” playing at UMW and there was a lot to be excited about too.” playing at the Anthem aligned with The reaction she had to the concert many of the emotions UMW students prompted her closest friends at UMW were dealing with. Their music and to give her tickets to the Anthem show performances help to make this highly as a graduation gift. After making the transitional phase of life a little less scary transition herself and adjusting to adult and lonely for those going through it life, she had a different experience. She with the band.
New eats take the streets: restaurants opening soon in downtown Fredericksburg JUSTIN REICHARD Staff Writer
Graduating seniors are going to be jealous of all the new restaurants coming to downtown Fredericksburg-- on Caroline Street and William Street alone seven new spots are opening up in the next year. Fork ‘n’ Biscuit Going in at 715 Caroline Street where Legumes used to be is Fork ‘n’ Biscuit, an all day brunch-themed restaurant focusing on biscuits. They will have traditional brunch items as well as some with a twist focused around biscuits, touting on Facebook that they will have a keto biscuit. Fork ‘n’ Biscuit is planning on opening up this month. Dominion Public Market Just a few blocks up, on 1010 Caroline Street, is going to be the Dominion Public Market. The construction has not moved along much over the past few months and they have no scheduled opening, but what they are promising is very exciting. According to their website, the new location will include a food hall, market, event space, culinary kitchen and a roof top outdoor music/ event space. All of this space combined comes to a grand total of 35,000 square feet.
4
Rebellion Fredericksburg If you were to leave Caroline Street and head back towards campus you might pass Rebellion Fredericksburg on 309 William Street, which is hoping to have its doors open this coming spring. Rebellion opened their first location, Rebellion DC, in 2014. Focusing on bourbon and cocktails, they also have wings, burgers and other pub food. According to their website, they
Construction of Liberty Place on William Street.
Burger Bach First up is Burger Bach gastropub, a Richmond based burger shop. They are a New Zealand inspired restaurant. According to their website, they get 100 percent grass-fed Black Angus beef and lamb from Silver Fern Farms in New Zealand. Mellow Mushroom Second is Mellow Mushroom, a pizza chain out of Atlanta, Georgia, known for their fun atmosphere and great pizza. They also have sandwiches, calzones, desserts and much more. Pasta Fresca Cafe Pasta Fresca Cafe will also be coming to Liberty Place, an Italian restaurant promising fresh handmade pasta and sauces as well as sandwiches and cappuccino. Blue Cow Ice Cream Lastly is Blue Cow Ice Cream from Roanoke Virginia. They promise “a more artisan and creative approach to the classic ice cream shop experience.” Some interesting looking flavors on their website include chocolate cayenne as well as masala chai and cereal milk. Liberty Place will also have a much needed parking garage, and a Union Bank. It is set to Emilia Michalkiewitz / The Blue & Gray Press open this coming spring.
have over 275 types of bourbons and whiskeys. Liberty Place If you continued on William Street, you would notice the construction right next to Sedona Taphouse. Liberty Place, taking up the entirety of the 600 block of William Street, is looking to be a great location for dinner and dessert. Liberty Place will have three restaurants and one ice cream spot.
Thursday, February 6, 2020
LIFE
Rodney Robinson, 2019 Teacher of the Year, visits UMW
MARY GOODRICH Staff Writer
National Teacher of the Year 2019 Rodney Robinson gave a talk on Jan. 29 in Dodd Auditorium. Robinson spoke about his success teaching at Virgie Binford Education Center, a school inside the Richmond Juvenile Detention Center. “It’s about equity… Making sure that all students have the resources they need to be successful,” Robinson said. “All students can learn… It’s everybody’s job to help raise children.” Robinson addressed the issue of meeting a student’s basic needs before academic learning could take place. These basic needs include emotional needs, physiological needs and safety. “Nothing is more important than what a student sees, hears and feels in your classroom,” he said. Robinson tackled the problem of how students in all schools, but especially low-income schools today are expected to excel with the amount of trauma they face in their everyday lives. “Our success or failure with our kids is pretty much life or death,” he said. Robinson said that if he was not a successful teacher in his students’ lives,
Robinson teaches at Virgie Binford Education center in Richmond, Virginia.
RVASchools.net
then they would go back to living the life they had come from. He spoke about how the students he taught never dreamed of having any kind of a future. When he first began at Virgie Binford Education Center, the school was nothing but an extension of the jail - white walls and all. Robinson and his staff decided to add a mural and hang up college flags on every window. “If you’re going to look out the window and daydream, I want you to dream about college,” said Robinson. Robinson encouraged his students to know college was still an option, to advocate for themselves, and to feel confident that they can overcome any hurdle life throws their way. His teachings have been vastly effective with students from Virgie Binford Education Center going on to lead successful lives when they once did not have hope. “The power is in teaching them how to advocate for themselves,” said Robinson. The message of his talk was clear-what society deemed “bad students” are not bad at all. They just need a caring person who will fight for them and a bit of extra help to ensure they can become the best versions of themselves.
Senior Spotlight: Jackson Miles takes his final bow JAI-LEAH GARCIA Staff Writer
As seniors continue their long haul to the finish line, each major has a different requirement that they have to complete, which is typically in the form of a research project or a thesis. UMW’s theatre department has a different approach towards preparing students for their futures: working on a senior project. Senior theatre major Jackson Miles focused his portion of his senior play on the upcoming production, “Ordinary Days,” that will run in Klein Theatre from February 13-23. “The [performance-focused] senior project for the theatre department requires us to audition for all the productions and once we are cast in something, that becomes our senior project,” said Miles. “In your junior year, there is a senior project seminar that they outline what you have to do including your proposal.” While many other departments have their own ways of allowing students to fulfill their final credits before graduating, the theatre department allows for creativity, innovation and a personal touch from each senior in the medium a journal or a blog recording process. “It’s more of a reflective project that hopefully will be able to help us in the future for future work,” said Miles. The senior research project can be as rigorous and dynamic as the student pleases. In this case, Miles focused on character analysis in the embodiment of his character, Jason, through scene by scene analysis. “I’m used to doing character analyses, but it was a little tough to get started with this one just because I would get lost in trying to get all the details down,” said Miles. “A lot of it is defining key relationships and plot points for the show as a whole to know what to really emphasize...”
Thursday, February 6, 2020
Beyond his choice of medium, Miles is granted even more freedom. The criteria behind the project are all decided by the students. “We actually decide on the criteria that we are going to be graded on,” said Miles. “What I decided is that I will be writing my character analysis, scene by scene analysis, rehearsal notes, self-care routines and self-reflection. For Miles, the journal has become a guide on how he has honed his skills over the course of his project. The senior project not only provides experiential learning for actors, but it also allows students who focus on design, directing, playwriting and more to reflect on their coursework and get experience. “Right now with where my journal is at, I’m definitely going to be using it for future work that I get as a reflective tool to know what I did right in rehearsal or what I learned in the process,” said Miles. “I’m a little mad that I haven’t used a journal in previous shows that I’ve done because it has helped a lot.” Once the curtain drops, Miles will turn his journal over to a jury of three faculty members who will then assess his analysis and project as a whole. “I think the theatre department does a really good job in preparing their students for work in the industry after college,” said Miles. “The senior project along with these other classes helps create these extraordinary opportunities.”
Jackson Miles is fullfilling his senior project requirement by acting in “Ordinary Days.”
Jackson Miles
5
Weekend Events Thursday
Friday
Saturday
• Black Minds Matter @ UC Colonnade Room, 6 p.m. • Great Lives: The Beach Boys presented by author Peter Ames Carlin @ Dodd Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. • James Farmer: In His Own Words, 1920-1999 Exhibit @ HCC Convergence Gallery • Origins: UMW Ceramics Faculty and Alumni @ duPont Gallery • Julien Binford: A Legacy of Inspiration and Enterprise, Ridderhof Martin Gallery
• Variety Show @ Dodd Auditorium, 6 - 9 p.m. • Improv Comedy Show @ HCC Digital Auditorium, 8 - 10 p.m. • Reel Deals: Queen and Slim @ Monroe 116, 10 p.m. - 12 a.m. • James Farmer: In His Own Words, 1920-1999 Exhibit @ HCC Convergence Gallery • Origins: UMW Ceramics Faculty and Alumni @ duPont Gallery • Julien Binford: A Legacy of Inspiration and Enterprise, Ridderhof Martin Gallery
• Reel Deals: Queen and Slim @ Monroe 116, 7 - 9 p.m. • James Farmer: In His Own Words, 1920-1999 Exhibit @ HCC Convergence Gallery • Origins: UMW Ceramics Faculty and Alumni @ duPont Gallery • Julien Binford: A Legacy of Inspiration and Enterprise, Ridderhof Martin Gallery
theblueandgraypress
The Blue & Gray Press
@theBlueandGray
bgpress1922
NEWS
POLICE BEAT ABIGAIL BUCHHOLZ & KATE SELTZER News Editors
Trespassing On Friday, Jan. 31 at 11:52 p.m., an individual was caught trespassing on College Avenue after being forbidden to do so. A trespass notice was served.
Vandalism Between Friday Jan. 31 at 10:00 p.m. and Saturday Feb. 1 at 1:00 a.m., a vehicle was vandalized on the 1600 block of College Avenuel. This case is pending.
Between Friday Jan. 31 at 10:00 p.m. and Saturday Feb. 1 at 1:00 a.m., a vehicle was vandalized on the 1600 block of College Avenuel. This case is pending.
Open carry suggested as a way to protect UMW students from gun threats though the threat ended up being noncredible, during the potential crisis students, professors and staff were instructed to ‘shelter in place’ while authorities took care of the situation. Although sheltering in place is a simple and straight forward plan, there was a good deal of confusion. “I found out that there was an active shooter action plan through one of my professors and not through official communication from the school. Which I think speaks towards the way the school prepares its students more than the plan itself,” said Robinson. Guidelines for an active shooter situation are available on the UMW Police and Public Safety website. “There was a clear shelter in place alert but there was a professor telling students that there wasn’t a shooter on campus and to go home… but [they] don’t know that and [they] don’t have the authority to just tell people to leave,” stated McPhee. In reaction to the disarray of the gun threat, one student suggested the University allow carrying of firearms on campus for self protection.
•Gun Laws | 2
“UMW police officers are carrying the standard sidearm… but I don’t see officers very often...In order to reduce the casualties of a shooting you need to cut down the response time,” said sophomore physics major Logan Palmer. “The best way to do that is by
“In a college campus setting, guns aren’t really necessary… I don’t see the need to carry a weapon [on campus].” -Adam Cooper allowing people to be armed themselves. Shooters aren’t going to go somewhere where everyone has a gun, they’re going to go somewhere where there are signs that say ‘No firearms allowed on campus’... If there were signs stating that ‘staff is highly armed and will use lethal force to protect students,’ [a potential shooter] might think twice.” Puccetti also felt this would be beneficial due to the time it takes for law
enforcement and security personnel to respond to the crisis. “Minutes without a good guy with a gun in a crisis usually has catastrophic results,” said Puccetti. There are additional resources on campus that allow students to help prevent crises from happening and protect themselves by having the proper knowledge and a good level of awareness. The Firearms Club hosts a variety of free public safety courses every semester. Last semester these included an Active Shooter Prevention Program hosted by Jody Maki of GirlOnFire, and an iteration of the Refuse To Be a Victim seminar, both of which will aim to teach attendees how to be safe and alert in a variety of situations. Adam Cooper, a senior English major, feels that the university is safe as is. “In a college campus setting, guns aren’t really necessary… I don’t see the need to carry a weapon [on campus].” Following the recent legislation from Richmond and the gun threat on campus last semester, student opinion, like the rest of the state, is split on how best to approach fair solutions to gun violence.
Alumni remember teachings of Dr. James Farmer, celebrate his 100th birthday ask, ’Which side are you on?’” the world, and that we should choose know who Dr. Farmer “I honestly believe that he would to positively impact those around us or what CORE was. They want current students to understand that and in our community. I think he would know Dr. King, Malcolm X, but too few we have to look to the past and learn want everyone to understand that we know Dr. Farmer. I make sure that when can celebrate and embrace our they leave my class they know about the Freedom Rides, CORE “We are again in a perilous time and we diversity while working together positive and common and Dr. Farmer.” need to be vigilant in standing up for what toward goals.” Former students of Farmer is right [and knowing] that putting aside Valentine agreed. said he would want current “We are again in a perilous UMW students to apply his your own privilege and helping others who time and we need to be vigilant in Civil Rights teachings to modern are less privileged is really important.” standing up for what is right [and times. knowing] that putting aside your “Dr. Farmer would ask -Ellen Valentine own privilege and helping others current students to consider who are less privileged is really how much more work is yet to important.” be done, and if we have the authentic from it so that history does not repeat itself,” Isaac said. “I believe he would This is the first in a series of articles courage to wrestle with hard questions remembering the life and legacy of want current students to understand to do what is right,” Rudnick said. “Dr. James Farmer. that we all get to choose how we react Farmer might evoke an oft-used phrase to experiences in our own lives and in from the Civil Rights Movement and
•Farmer | 1 On Saturday Feb. 1 at 10:40 a.m., there was an incident of graffiti in Mason Hall. This case is pending.
Between Saturday, Feb. 1 at 11:40 p.m. and Sunday Feb. 2 at 1:05 a.m., ceiling tiles were damaged in Russell Hall. This case is pending.
On Thursday Jan. 23 at 10:57 p.m., a sign was vandalized in Randolph Hall. This case is pending.
On Sunday Jan. 26 between 10:15 p.m. and 10:28 p.m., ceiling tiles were vandalized in Russell Hall. This case is pending.
Petit Larceny Between Wednesday, Jan. 23 at 8:30 p.m. and Thursday, Jan. 24 at 8:00 a.m., a skateboard was stolen from Bushnell Hall. This case is pending.
Farmer taught his students the importance of standing up for what is right and being aware of what side of history they are on.
Thursday, February 6, 2020
npr.org
7
SPORTS
Editor: Jack Hagn | blueandgray.sports@gmail.com
Campus Rec hosts tribute to honor NBA star Kobe Bryant BENJAMIN FANCHER Staff Writer
Last Tuesday, the UMW community gathered at the Goolrick auxiliary gym to pay homage to Kobe Bryant. Bryant died Sunday, Jan. 26 in a helicopter crash that also took the lives of his daughter, Gianna, and seven other passengers. He was 41 years old and had retired from the NBA just four years ago in 2016 after 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. The commemoration took place in the form of a two-hour pickup basketball game hosted by Campus Recreation, providing UMW students the chance to come together and remember Bryant through basketball. People came to just shoot a basketball, or play two on two pickup games with their friends. A massive purple and gold banner hung on the wall with a giant “24” in the center. It was left blank to allow everyone in attendance to write down their favorite Kobe Bryant moment. Some people wrote down his 81 point game against the Toronto Raptors as their favorite moment. Some people wrote about the 5 championships he won. Some people wrote about his “no-flinch” moment when Matt Barnes pump-faked a basketball directly into Bryant’s face, and Bryant didn’t even blink. What all students could agree on, though, is that there are a lot of great Kobe moments to choose from. Over the course of his career he won one MVP Award, five NBA Championships, two Finals MVP awards, was selected to the All-Star Game 18 times, currently holds the fourth-highest career point total in NBA history with 33,643 points, and is the only player to have multiple numbers retired by the same franchise-- Bryant wore both 8 and 24 in his time with the Lakers. His daughter Gianna, 13, who took after her father in talent and spirit, was on track to join the WNBA and have an incredible basketball career as well. “It’s tough because he has had a ton of phenomenal moments,” said Zane Burk, a junior majoring in communication when asked to pick his favorite Bryant moment. “What’s pretty amazing to me was his last game where he dropped 60 points because it’s unbelievable that at the age...he was still able to come and
University of Mary Washington Winter Sports Schedule
Bryant holds the fourth-highest career point total in NBA history with 33,643 points.
drop 60. And a good 60 too. He won his team the game.” Walker Stokes, a junior majoring in communications, pointed to a moment from Bryant’s retirement as his favorite. “He had a conversation with Shaquille O’Neal, basically talking it out, how they had struggles. Even after Kobe having an amazing career like that, it was more than just basketball with him. It was about personal relationships and it was about setting a good example for younger athletes.” For other people, it wasn’t just about Bryant’s relationships, it was about the relationships that his playing helped them form. Rahima Morshed, a senior majoring in sociology, spoke about Bryant’s effect on her personal relationships, saying that when she heard about Bryant’s death, she thought about her dad. “He and I would go to Lakers games a lot. My dad, he loved Kobe. He wasn’t a Lakers fan, but Kobe was a special player.” She also talked about how Bryant’s worldwide influence played a part in her relationships with her friends saying that “I have friends in Jordan and Nigeria and growing up, Kobe was their idol.” Not everyone, however, remembered Bryant’s playing career with fondness. “I used to hate him when he used to play against Gilbert Arenas on the Wizards,” said former UMW student Matthew Mohr, who came back to campus to shoot around at Bryant’s pickup game
Sports Illustrated
with his friends. “Back when he wore #8, I used to hate him.” That’s how everyone felt watching Bryant play against their favorite team--frustrated, even miserable. It was difficult to not resent his force on the court, but impossible to not respect his craft. “My immediate reaction was ‘this can’t be real’,” Mohr said, speaking about his reaction to Bryant’s death. “It’s Kobe Bryant. He’s on everyone’s top 3 greatest players list. At least the top 5. Minimum.” Bryant’s greatness wasn’t just contained within the world of basketball. Bryant’s reach went throughout all of the sports. Rachel Porchie, a junior majoring in English who plays on UMW’s softball team says that Bryant is an influence on her game and her life. “Kobe is a reminder of what it takes to be great. How to find something you love and give yourself away to it. His ‘mamba mentality’, to constantly try to be the best version of yourself, is always something I keep in my mind while competing.” Bryant was one of the greatest and most influential basketball players of our generation. Some players were better than him, sure. But what made Bryant special was his relationships. He inspired a generation of athletes to always pour their souls into whatever they do. He was a phenomenal athlete, a great teammate and a loving father.
Men’s Basketball (13-9)
Feb. 1 L @ Chris. Newport (81-68) Feb. 5 W @ Southern Virginia (80-73) Feb. 8 @ St. Mary’s (Md.) Feb. 15 vs. York (Pa.) Feb. 19 vs. Salisbury
Women’s Basketball (15-7)
Feb. 1 L @ Chris. Newport (72-52) Feb. 5 W vs. Southern Virginia (49-46) Feb. 8 @ St. Mary’s (Md.) Feb. 15 vs. York (Pa.) Feb. 19 @ Salisbury
Women’s Swimming (9-3)
Jan. 18 W vs. Barton (187-75) Jan. 18 W vs. Franklin & Marshall (16993) Jan. 25 L vs. Gettysburg (141-121) Feb. 1 W vs. Southern Virginia (122-32) Feb. 13-16 vs. CAC Championships @ St. Mary’s City, Md.
Men’s Swimming (7-5)
Jan. 18 W vs. Barton (182-80) Jan. 18 L vs. Franklin & Marshall (154107) Jan. 25 L vs. Gettysburg (159-103) Feb. 1 W vs. Southern Virginia (147-66) Feb. 13-16 vs. CAC Championships @ St. Mary’s City, Md.
Full Schedule not listed above. Most recent games included. Bold indicates home game.
Bryant with his wife Vanessa and children Gianna and Natalia.
Thursday, February 6, 2020
people.com
Bryant spent all 20 years of his NBA career with the Lakers. spokesman.com
8