The Blue & Gray Press

THE

BLUE &GRAY

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER

April 27, 2017

VOLUME 90 | ISSUE 24

PRESS

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE

1922

Students wrongfully accussed of possession VIRGINIA BIXBY Viewpoints Editor

Sophomore Ariana Barrett and her roommate were looking forward to a fun evening at the Waka Flocka Flame spring concert featuring D.R.A.M. Before the concert, they wanted to stop by their dorm room. On their way to the second floor the area coordinator remarked that there was a strong smell of marijuana. Barrett agreed, without actually saying so out loud, but she thought it smelled like someone was smoking pot. “[There] was a noticeable smell but I had no clue where it was coming from,” said Barrett. “I didn’t really question it.”

They then went off to their rooms and afterward headed to the concert. It wasn’t until the Monday after the spring concert that they and the other members of their suite received an email saying that the area coordinator wanted to meet with them, regarding an incident that occurred the night of the concert.

“In the meeting, the area coordinator blamed us for the smell and accused us of using marijuana,” said Barrett. “She told us she had to file an incident report and she really scared us about what could happen because of that... She said we might have to be seen by the Judicial Review Board.”

The experience was very stressful for them.

“We were upset and appalled,” said Barrett. “My roommates and I would never use drugs... We have scholarships and on campus jobs... one of my roommates is an athlete and could lose her place on the team for something like this.”

Barrett and her roommates spent several days racked with nerves about the state of the investigation and also wondered why anyone would have thought that they might have drugs in their room.

“We have no motive to smoke marijuana,” said Barrett. “But the area coordinator insisted it had to be us.” This situation illustrates how sometimes protocols for investigating residential concerns on campus are not always followed and this can cause unneeded distress.

According to Barrett, after the initial meeting with the area coordinator, they did not receive any more communication from the coordinator or campus housing for several days. This prompted the students to call their parents to make a request for a meeting with the area coordinator.

“The area coordinator was really rude to our parents,” said Barrett. “She didn’t want to hear what they had to say and insisted that she was right and they

Review of court records reveals disheartening actions taken by athletic department leaders ESTER SALGUERO Associate Editor

In March, Juliette Landphair, Vice President for Student Affairs, sent out a statement on behalf of the university and its staff announcing that the University of Mary Washington settled a lawsuit with Jasmine Orsted. A former student, who said that she felt racially discriminated against after being cut from the women’s basketball team before her tryout date.

As it is stated in the email, “without admission of liability or wrongdoing by the University, its coaches or employees, the University has agreed to pay [Orsted] $160,000 in full settlement of her remaining claims.” The statement said that the university and its staff members are not culpable or legally re-

sponsible for what happened to Orsted.

But a review of court records, publicly accessed through Richmond’s Eastern District Court, revealed that the women’s basketball coach, Deena Applebury, and Athletic Director, Kenneth Tyler, misrepresented key facts in speaking with UMW investigators about Applebury’s reasoning for dismissing Orsted.

Orsted was recruited by the assistant coach, Lindsey Burke, at the time, who watched her play live and saw that she had potential. Applebury agreed with Burke after watching a video that was pulled off the internet. Orsted was hopeful of securing a spot on the team and registered for the athletic course, which was to be held in the spring of 2015.

During the fall semester of 2014, two

Jasmine Orsted / Facebook Page

separate complaints of racially charged remarks among members of the UMW women’s basketball team were reported

by Caitlyn Riley and Jasmine Orsted, who were both trying out during the same season.

Their complaints were jointly investigated at that time by Sabrina Johnson, the associate Vice President of Human Resources and Leah Cox, Special Assistant to the President for Diversity and Inclusion. In the interview, Applebury said that she filed the complaints on Oct. 8, six days earlier than the documented and reported information by human resources, according to Johnson’s testimony.

On Oct. 2, Applebury called Orsted and asked her to come to her office.

This was the day that Orsted was cut

•ORSTED | 10

Vacancies in staff due to security contract ending early Haley Spencer Staff Writer

Before April 1, The University of Mary Washington held a contract with Allied Barton Security Inc, an internal security force. UMW employed officers from this company to man the front desk at Eagle Landing after midnight and on weeknights. Between February and March of this year, UMW police decided to end their contract on April 1 with Allied Barton Security. Ending the contract meant that Residence Life was left in charge of securing Eagle Landing at night and on weekends.

Chris Porter, director of Residence Life and Commuter Student Services, had a little over a month to find security

“I figured something was up because there weren’t any guards checking ID’s some nights when coming back after [midnight].”

-Gabe Lewis

to man the front desk.

Earlier this semester, a few of the Eagle Landing desk attendants had quit, also leaving multiple daytime positions vacant.

After the contract ended, Many Eagle Landing residents noticed the lack of staffing at the front desk.

“Many of the front-desk attendants worked multiple shifts, maybe several times a week which was more frequent than I remember from last semester,” said Gabe Lewis, a sophomore political science major.

Lewis said that he had not seen the front desk empty during the day, but noted that the front desk was often empty after midnight.

“I figured something was up because

•Eagle Landing | 2

•MARIJUANA | 2

IN THIS

ISSUE

Glow RUN

CAMPUS COMPLAINTS

SUCCESSFUL SEASON

Students participate in pre-inaguration event.

University channels available for constructive criticism.

Women’s lacrosse hopes for a bid into the NCAA tournament.

LIFE | 6

VIEWPOINTS | 5

SPORTS | 12

NEWS

Editors: Meaghan McIntyre & Izzy Briones | blueandgray.news@gmail.com

Students shaken THE BLUE & GRAY after reading email 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 Kelly Emmrich

•MARIJUANA | 1 were wrong.”

Barrett and her roommates remained stressed for days, until they got an email on April 12 saying that the investigation was dropped. They had told the area coordinator that they would submit to a search and drug test, however none ever occurred.

“Having to deal with something I didn’t even do was exhausting,” said Barrett. “So much time and energy was not only exerted from us but our parents, as well.” Finals week is also just around the corner which only heightened their sentiments.

According to school policy, there are

“Having to deal with something I didn’t even do was exhausting,”

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ester Salguero

MANAGING EDITOR Tessa Cate

SECTION EDITORS NEWS Meaghan McIntyre Izzy Briones

VIEWPOINTS Ginny Bixby

LIFE Lauren Closs

SPORTS Ryan Brauch

ONLINE Es Hethcox

PHOTO Alex Sakes

Business Team

-Ariana Berret typically a set of steps that need to be followed before beginning an investigation. It states that when drugs are seen in plain view, the residence life staff member should contact the university police supervisor on duty. The supervisor would then decide on the appropriate action to take from there. If residents are present, staff will announce themselves and speak to the residents followed by a potential search of the area.

If residents are not present, the room cannot be searched but may be secured depending on circumstances.

When asked about the breach in protocol, Christine Porter, Office of Residence Life and Commuter Student Services director said that while she could not speak about this particular incident, searches are only conducted if there is significant evidence that there was drug paraphernalia in the room.

“An incident report is an interoffice communication,” said Porter. “We document every time we smell marijuana or have any suspicions... We use them for documentation [and] we only really get concerned if we see multiple incident reports involving the same student.”

How investigations are handled can at times depend on the severity of the situation.

“We don’t take room searches lightly,” she added. “We only search if we think it is serious and there is a strong reason to believe the student has been using drugs... If students are found in possession of drugs, they can be charged and sent to Judicial Affairs.”

University Relations

•EAGLE LANDING | 1 there weren’t any guards checking ID’s and some nights when coming back after [midnight] when we usually have to show Eagle Ones, the office would be closed and there would be nobody there to check them to verify we were students,” said Lewis. “Usually RAs ended up checking IDs, but they weren’t always there.”

Some Eagle Landing residents miss the friendly faces of the early morning and late night security guards.

“I remember there was this one security guard that would sit at the front desk in the mornings, and he would say ‘good morning’ to me and be friendly,” said senior biology major, Morgan McMahon. “Now I’m kind of sad to see him go.”

While Reslife is working towards hiring new staff to fill these vacancies, the process is not as immediate as they would hope for it to be.

“Sadly, hiring staff doesn’t always move as fast as we’d like—we had to work through funding issues, having the

correct number of positions, hiring people specifically for overnight shifts and the actual review of applications, hiring, background checks and finally training,” said Porter. “We were still in that process when the ABS contract ended.”

Porter said that while going through the hiring process, finding out what to do about the night shifts for RAs was also added onto the to-do list.

“We wanted to make sure we could continue to provide that service to Eagle Landing residents, so we reviewed a number of potential scenarios, including paying the RAs additional remuneration to work the front desk,” said Porter.

“We also considered hiring temporary workers, offering shifts to our office assistants and potentially hiring students.

It is up to the RAs if they would like to pick up desk shifts—it is not required.”

While the lack of security guards may leave students feeling that they might in danger, Porter said that RAs are thoroughly trained by Reslife.

Semester marks spike in break-ins CHEYENNE ROLLINS Staff Writer

It’s a widely known secret among the students. Sometimes the doors to Seacobeck Hall are left open, other times they are not, and it just takes a jiggle of the doorknob to find out. If the door is locked, the windows are usually open.

The windows, some have torn screens from previous break ins, but all, are large, white, and in need of a paint job.

Through the windows on one side, there is a dreary, dark storage area, housing a surplus of school items, tables and chairs. On the other side, more light, and more structure, inviting groups to utilize the area for campus events. Some go in for first dates, some have picnics on the rooftop, but others have purely mischievous intentions like stealing old kitchenware, breaking glass, and even stealing marble.

Since the beginning of this year, it appears as though curiosity about the closed hall has spiked, which has led to a number of break-ins since the grand finale closing in April of 2015. There have been three break-ins to the building in March and April alone. According to students that there have been break-ins before the start of 2017, but the Crime

Log’s first documented break-in was in March of this year.

“It was dark, very dark,” said an anonymous student that entered the hall last year. “There was broken glass everywhere.”

She described the antique look, the fine detailing in the walls, and the beautiful floors, but also, that the hall was in desperate need of some care.

“The pantry room that holds all of the hall’s old dinnerware, some of them are missing, and have been taken by previous visitors. Some of which lay in pieces on the floor.”

Her statements match information from the University Crime Log. “There were large mirrors leaning against the walls,” she said, “and someone went through and smashed them.”

However, through the rubble and ruin, the integrity of the building still remains, and has the University administration working to protect it.

The University maintains a Crime Log in the Emergency Communications office at Brent Hall. The Crime Log shows the dates, times and general location for each crime, as well as the report date, dispositions, and any damages that

•SEACOBECK | 11

CORRECTIONS for THE Week

Linda Fitzpatrick Janelle Behm

PLEASE REPORT ANY MISTAKES SEEN IN THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS TO

FACULTY ADVISOR

Kelly Emmrich, blueandgray.eic@gmail.com or Sushma Subramanian, ssubrama@umw.edu

Sushma Subramanian

2

ResLife rushes to fill vacancies

•

The baseball and softball playing season are the same duration. An article in the April 20 issue of the Blue & Gray Press inaccurately said that the softball season is a month longer. To further clarify, softball and baseball are two distinct sports and not each other’s equivalents. They require two separate types of fields.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

SPORTS

Female runners fed up with catcalling during practice

JANELLE BEHM Staff Writer

Many sports teams practice on fields, some in the gym, in the pool and others throughout the immediate Fredericksburg area. It is important for those who are on sports teams to focus while they are training. The women’s cross-country team is made up of twelve women who all run throughout The University of Mary Washington and the Fredericksburg area.

There seems to be a recurring problem of “catcalling” while these girls are running.“A teammate and I were running downtown and a group of teenage boys in a car started yelling out of their car.” The team member also explained how “sometimes people will honk.”

Female athletes should not have to worry about people making crude comments or being whistled at. While these are the risks everywhere, the team usually runs together or in smaller groups.

There are other views to the story though.

“My fiancé

“Female athletes should not have to worry”

and I run through Fredericksburg together and alone, frequently... [we] can both attest to the fact that it’s a safe place to run,” said assistant cross country coach, Alec Villiva. “I will say that no matter your gender,

if you run enough, somebody somewhere is going to honk in their car horn or somebody will yell ‘nice legs’ or even something less benign as you run by because they think it’s funny, but it happens less in Fredericksburg than anywhere else I’ve lived.”

Even if it does not happen here as much as it does in other areas, UMW values the safety of all students and faculty. Generally, men do not have to worry about this issue like women do, however no matter what gender, proceed with caution. The important matter to keep in mind is that athletes either involved or not in sports training off campus feel confident and focused while practicing something they enjoy to do.

UMW dance clubs deserve recognition in the sports community

STEPHANIE COOK Staff Writer

There has been a debate over what category dance falls under for years. The general public as a form of art, or as a physical activity, but never as a sport has typically viewed dance. While many dance classes are held in gym studios (UMW even boasts its own Zumba dance fitness program), why is there hesitation to refer to dance as a sport?

Dancers spend countless hours in studios rehearsing physically demanding routines before each performance. This is easily comparable to a typical sports team putting in hours of practice before each game. Both activities require a lot of practice before each game or performance.

According to senior Shobha Negi, a participant in Eagle Bhangra, Performing Arts Club, UMW Breakers and ASA’s Kpop Dance Team, “during prime compe-

UMW Eagle Bhangra-Facebook

tition/performance time [there may be] up to 17 hours of practice a week.”

The amount of time invested in dance is easily comparable to the time a typical athlete may put into their practices each week, averaging at almost 2 hours of practice each day.

According to junior Christine Ayad, a participant of Eagle Bhangra and PAC, each dance team has a different amount of time they meet each week. For example, “PAC has one-hour long practices each week for each dance, and Bhangra meets twice a week for 1.5 hours each practice.”

Ayad participated in four dances in PAC this semester, which brings her to a total of seven hours of dance each week.

Not only do dance teams meet frequently each week, but many dances involve a high amount of physical activity and may

be physically demanding on the dancers.

“Prior to this semester, [I] just did PAC, which wasn’t as physically demanding, but Bhangra involves a lot of jumping and squatting, so it was much more physically demanding,” Said Ayad.“further into the semester, [performance] pieces [got] longer, and before competitions practice [was] more frequent, so [she] was sore a lot.”

Senior Taylor Richardson, a participant in UMW Breakers, agreed with this sentiment. “It was physically demanding when I first started, so I was sore a lot, and I still am [sore after practice] sometimes.”

With the evolving world of sports and what falls into the category of sports, it is amazing that dance has not been universally accepted into the genre. Cheerleading, which has now been generally

accepted as a sport, has many of the same characteristics as dance and often includes a dance component in competition routines.

While dance may be solely interpreted as a form of art, it also meets the criteria to be called a sport according to the Google definition: “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.”

So be on the lookout for these newfound athletes at the next PAC show, Zumba class, or basketball game half time.

Weekly Scoreboard baseball

SOFTBALL:

Apr. 22 @ CNU (L) UMW: 3 CNU: 4

women's LACROSSE

Apr. 22 @ Salisbury (L) UMW: 5 Salisbury: 11

Women's Tennis:

Apr. 22 @ Salisbury (L) UMW: 0 Salisbury: 21

men's LACROSSE

Apr. 22 vs. Salisbury

(L) UMW: 9 Salisbury: 22

May 12 @ TBA TBA

women's LACROSSE

Men's Tennis:

May 12 @ TBA TBA

May 13 @ TBA TBA

3

VIEWPOINTS Oppressed work to empower each other under Trump presidency DANIELLE HOWARD Staff Writer

Throughout the entirety of his campaign, President Donald Trump actively insulted and attacked large margins of American citizens while empowering a select few under the guise of his slogan ‘Make America Great Again.’ His words and beliefs against people of color, members of the LGBT+ community, women, Muslims and more were met with horror and praise. It was heavily debated, whether or not a man with such a temper and willingness to fly off the handle would be capable of acting presidential. Whether he is capable now, is no longer the only question many still ask.

Since his confirmation as president, many feel that his election has left them with sentiments that their identities and beliefs are not validated as being acceptable under the current socio-political climate, myself included.

For some, this is just another drop in the ocean among numerous other acts of oppression against their respective groups. However, for many, they feel that the remarks made against them by the president are not only a threat against their humanity but also em-

boldens many who feel empowered by the election to actively initiate harmful behavior or actions against those that look or identify a certain way. Due to the perceived lack of acceptance by President Trump and his supporters, many activists took to social media to vocalize their contempt by starting the hashtag #notmypresident. This trending hashtag was met with strong backlash. Many felt that using this hashtag was disrespectful towards the highest elected office in the country. Often the words, “take the higher road,” or even Michelle

Rappahannock Scholars program changes lives MARK NOEL Staff Writer

The Rappahannock Scholars program was created in 2007. The program places six high schools in the Northern Neck region of Virginia in partnership with the University of Mary Washington. These six high schools include Essex, King and Queen Central, Lancaster, Washington and Lee High, Northumberland, and Rappahannock High schools.

The main purpose of this program is to support the university’s mission of being a nexus for engagement among diverse communities by re4

cruiting, retaining and supporting underrepresented and economically disadvantage students from high schools in these areas.

“This program is often a pipeline for many students of diversity who will choose to attend the University of Mary Washington which helps the university achieve its mission of a more diversified, inclusive campus,” said Justin Wilkes, director of the student transition program at UMW. The nomination process for this

gain the respect of those that oppress them.

Because many of those who feel personally affronted by remarks made

by Trump are considered to be on the societal outskirts, they have to find a way to amplify their voices or bring attention to the systems that continually marginalize them. It is best to hear them out, rather than to simplify their claims. Just because someone is in the president’s chair does not mean that they are without reproach. Disagreement is Molly Adams / Flickr.com not a bad thing, it allows genuine conversation to flow and unObama’s famous statement, “when derstanding between different groups they go low... we go high,” is used as to arise. When we work together to a rebuttal or a way of shutting down allow the perspectives of those who people who speak about their disconhave been overlooked by society to tent with the current president and be heard, we collectively have the his cabinet. These sorts of statements responsibility to make sure that they can be harmful and used as a way of feel their existence is being validated downplaying or discrediting people’s and to ensure that the world becomes feelings or lived experiences. When much safer for us all. those expressing their feelings are As James Baldwin once said, “I love told to “take the higher road” it plays America more than any other country into the myth of respectability poliin this world and exactly for this reatics and in a way, attempts to tell the son, I insist on the right to criticize oppressed to act in a way that is more her perpetually.” pleasing or acceptable, in order to

program is straightforward and manageable. First, the guidance counselor, from one of the high schools listed, nominates students who are eligible. Second, nominees are then interviewed by UMW admissions staff, who make the final selection.

Lastly, the UMW admissions staff makes the final decision about who becomes a Rappahannock scholar.

However, there are requirements for this program that need to be met and maintained by the nominees for guaranteed admission. Scholars must pursue coursework required for the Virginia Advanced Studies diploma and successfully complete at least two advanced placement or dual enrollment courses in their high school experience.

These types of courses help prepare students for the transition from high school to college. Also, scholars must have a cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.5 to receive guaranteed admission to UMW. If these requirements are not met they are not offered guaranteed

admission.

I’m a Rappahannock Scholar myself and I can honestly say that this program has changed my life for the better. If it wasn’t for the Rappahannock Scholar program I don’t know where I would be today. This program opened doors for me.

According to Rita Thompson, director of Rappahannock Scholars, “The Rappahannock Scholars Program purpose and success is best viewed through the lens of its graduates... A 2012 graduate said the program had taught her many things, it had given her the means to achieve greatness and it pushed her to succeed, both academically and socially.”

David Mercer, a senior here at UMW, agreed with Thompson.

“I owe a debt of gratitude to the Rappahannock Scholars for all it has done for me,” said Mercer. “I would not be in the position that I am without the help of this program.”

Thursday, April 27, 2017 Thursday, January 21, 2015

VIEWPOINTS Lodge university-related complaints in a constructive manner Editor: Ginny Bixby | blueandgray.views@gmail.com

LAUREN CLOSS Staff Writer

High school students participating in the “Shadow a Student” opportunity at UMW are often met with discouraging comments. One high school student met my friends and other peers in my classes.

The student was immediately hit with their apologies about how boring the class was, how the professor didn’t explain a concept enough or how difficult the current homework project.

I swooped in to reassure the student that professors are great about answering questions during office hours, how classes are very interesting and that hardworking students can still get an A. I have noticed a trend among my friends. They tend to focus on minor and often case-specific aspects of UMW that are negative, and then they criticize the university for it. This is particularly interesting for me as a tour guide because we are sometimes criticized for not giving an honest portrayal of UMW to prospective students. I, however, think that what I tell prospective students is an honest portrayal of UMW. It seems to be more than a trend among my friends. A lot of the negative feelings that current students have about UMW spring from isolated incidences and personal frustrations. I have noticed that UMW students love to complain about issues such as dining options, WiFi or building hours without really comparing it to other colleges or contacting the proper facilities to ask why circumstances are the way they are or how we might be able to initiate change.

For instance, it is not inaccurate or dishonest to say that the UC has a decent amount of options during the main meal

Roc G. / Yelp.com

times. Sure, University dining is never going to be as good as a homemade meal, but they are trying to cater to the tastes of more than 4,000 students.

UMW’s options are comparable to other university dining services that are partnered with Sodexo, including William and Mary, Liberty University and George Mason University.

As a vegetarian, it is important to me that menu items are labeled well. I feel like UMW does a pretty good job with that. If I still have questions about ingredients, the staff is knowledgeable about

what they serve, very helpful and willing to answer questions.

UMW allows and supports student speech through chalk messages, Twitter and newspaper articles, but very few of these student complaints get to dining services directly.

Instead of complaining for the sake of complaining, the school would benefit more from students filling out comment cards online or directly addressing issues with the people capable of fixing them.

These comments can be seen on the dining hall television screens.

Yes, students have the right and the obligation to criticize the university or society, but, as college students, we should learn how to do this in a constructive manner. If platforms exist to lodge complaints and provide feedback, then it is important to go through those platforms and understand why policies exist before publicly attacking them.

We can change UMW for the better and make it seem like a great place to visitors. I know we all love UMW, so we should strive to show others an honest portrayal of this wonderful place.

Staff Ed: The Blue & Gray Press says goodbye to old staff, welcomes new staff This week’s issue marks the The Blue & Gray Press’ last issue of the semester. This week is bittersweet.

We welcome in our new staff and start to implement some changes for next year. However, we also are saying goodbye to our outgoing staff.

This past year has been a tumultuous political climate on and off campus. With the election of Donald Trump and a rise of xenophobic attitudes on college campuses, the UMW community has found itself uniting together. The Blue & Gray Press has also had quite a bit of turmoil. This year we have held more

focus on investigative stories, which has caused quite a bit of controversy.

We’ve seen stories this year covering hate notes on campus, meal plans and Tim Brown. The Blue & Gray hopes to be just as diligent in reporting next year.

At the beginning of this year four new section editors came onto the staff. Most of them came into their roles unsure of their new positions, but the returning editors helped ease them into their sections. This made the operation very smooth when the new section editors were figuring out the voice of the paper and their plac-

es in the office. At the beginning of the year, the new editors coming in didn’t know any of the returning editors. As the year wore on, the staff turned from a group of strangers to a group of close friends.

We all looked forward to Wednesday nights for both the workload the weekly donuts and hanging out with each other. This year we are saying goodbye to four of our editors. They have put in several years into the Blue & Gray Press and helped shape it into what it is today. Our incoming editors have a tough act to follow, but we’re confident that they will do

their jobs justice.

Welcome: Ginny Bixby | Viewpoints Editor Ryan Brauch | Sports Editor Lauren Closs | Life Editor Es Hethcox | Online Editor Meaghan McIntyre | News Editor Goodbye: Mikey Barnes | Sports Editor Chris Markham | Editor in Chief Alex Spence | Associate Editor Ethan Tobin | Online Editor

By THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS EDITORIAL BOARD

5

LIFE

Editor: Lauren Closs blueandgray.life@gmail.com

Discussing consent not as easy as educational videos pretend LAURA MAKOLANDRA Staff Writer

At the beginning of each school year, the Title IX office holds a session on how partners should consent to sex. They show videos that roleplay how students might have conversations about consent. These videos instruct students to have open conversations about sex and make sure that both partners agree verbally.

Students surveyed about the process of consent in their own sex lives say that their conversations are not as open and explicit as those seen in the videos and demonstrations they’re told to watch. The reasons: nervousness and taboos about discussing sex.

“A lot of times consent is talked around because people don’t want to seem too eager to have sex in the beginning of a relationship,” said a female UMW student. “I think it should become a social norm with people hooking up or in actual relationships.”

Students say this is especially an issue when students engage in relationships that are undefined, whether that means hooking up at a party or seeing someone regularly but not exclusively.

“I think it makes people more cautious when they hook up because you hear so many he said/she said stories,” said a male UMW student. “It starts to become really hard to tell what's true and what’s not. It makes people really cautious about who they decide to pursue as a partner.”

A female student was also asked about the issue of discussing consent with a person with whom they have an undefined relationship.

“It all depends on the person and the type of relationship you have with them, but the more you discuss consent the more comfortable you become,” said

from discussing consent.

Another contributing factor to less conversational openness is that these relationships tend to move faster sexually than those that begin in person.

“Technology can increase and decrease relationships in my opinion,” said a male UMW student. “These apps help people

a female UMW student. “I feel like it depends on the precedent you set with the relationship. If you have already jumped in bed with them it makes it hard to go back and set boundaries.”

Another issue students face is the way that technology plays into relationships.

On dating apps, such as Tinder and Bumble, participants may believe the expectation of sex is implied. As a result, using these sites may discourage students

meet and get together, but also place a social barrier behind the screen.”

These dating apps are meant for introductions and starting relationships, but how many people actually meet up with the person they are messaging?

According to many students interviewed, the apps are still not widely used for dating on a college campus.

“I have a Tinder but I don’t use it to meet people. Just to make fun of the

Pixbay.

people I know on there,” said a male UMW student. Another male student said, “I have met up with one person from using Tinder, but I kind of already knew the girl before we matched on Tinder.”

“I just feel like because we are college students it’s more casual to use dating apps. Because it’s easy to just talk over a screen than face-to-face using Tinder and Bumble,” said a female UMW student.

The University of Mary Washington has a Title IX office to educate and prevent sexual assault on the campus.

The history of Title IX offices on college campuses started in 2011 with the Dear Colleague Letter, which states that all universities must have an office to provide students with services, education, prevention and remedies for sexual assault.

“Education through different, creative ways is how we prevent sexual assault on campus,” said Tiffany Oldfield, the University of Mary Washington’s new Title IX coordinator. She explained the many services provided to students and how students help spread the word about consent.

“Obviously [consent] is advisable to have in healthy relationships where two partners are committed to each other,” said Oldfield.

At the end of the day, whether people actually have conversations about consent or not, it does make them think more carefully about having sex.

UMW gathers for Glow Run in honor of President Paino’s inauguration OLIVIA BRIDGES Staff Writer

The rosy hues of the sun began to fade as 412 people from the University of Mary Washington and the Fredericksburg community gathered near the Bell Tower.

Glowing figures covered with strokes of neon paint stood at the start line, in the evening hours, waiting excitedly for the clock to strike eight. As the run commenced, the rhythmic thumping of participants’ feet drowned out the music that was playing throughout Campus Walk for UMW’s 5k “Glow Run.” The “Glow Run” took place on Wednesday of last week to celebrate the inauguration of President Troy Paino.

The run also served as a way to collect 250 pounds of canned food for the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank.

Once runners checked-in they were given glow sticks. Some runners wore the glow stick as a bracelet or necklace,

6

while others ran with it in their hand. After receiving glow sticks, runners were given a choice to choose a t-shirt in a variety of colors: neon pink, blue, yellow, orange and green. Snacks and drinks were also provided for the runners, before and after the run.

The members of UMW’s track and field team manned the check-in line. Ken Tyler, Director of Athletics, was in charge of the event.

“It’s a fun, healthy opportunity for all of us to come together and have a great time,” said Tyler.

He also said that it was a great opportunity to celebrate President Paino’s inauguration.

Runners and walkers alike lined up behind the start line. The 5k started and ended outside Jefferson Hall.

President Paino said, “Ready, set, go,” then the race began. Paino also kindly set

time aside during the event to sing happy birthday to his wife, Kelly Paino.

“It’s really exciting for everyone in the Mary Washington family to come together and celebrate being a part of this community,” said President Paino, “I feel honored to have an opportunity to lead the university and this is just a great celebration for all of us.”

Many students thought that the glow run was a great way to celebrate the inauguration. “I’m like really excited for it,” said freshman biology major, Baninder King. “Because it’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a while now and it’s for a good cause, to celebrate our new president.”

Sophomore english major, Mackenzie Hard agreed. Hard thought that the glow run was a great way to get the people of the UMW community out Olivia Bridges / The Blue & Gray Press and active. She only had

Courtlyn Plunkett / Facebook.

one small issue with the event.

“It’s kind of hard just because it’s a little dark but also because there’s like lots of hills,” said Hard. “But other than that, it’s been a lot of fun especially having people to do it with.”

Participants of the “Glow Run” prepared for the 5k in different ways.

“I’m actually in a running class, that’s why I’m here,” said freshman computer science major, Joseph Bermingham. He goes on several 30 minute runs every week.

While some students prepared for the run, others did not.

“My soul is alive but my legs are not,” said sophomore history and elementary education major, Nikki McCormick. “I did not do any pre-training for this besides eat chocolate in my dorm before I came here.”

Whether the runners were prepared or not, everyone can agree that the race will be one to remember.

“It was really exciting, I think that I came out not knowing what to expect and there was a [huge] turnout [which] was really fun and energetic,” said junior psychology major, Allegra Massey-Elim.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

LIFE

Living room exhibit transports students back to the 90s

ANDREW BOSWELL Staff Writer

Since the beginning of the semester, a few other students and I have been working with professor Zach Whalen to create an exhibit that would fill students with nostalgia of the 90s. The idea originated with professor Whalen wanting to recreate the successful “80s Living Room” that was displayed on the fourth floor of the Convergence Center during

toy commercials for children, household products and consumables for parents or adults. I had also sifted through numerous public service announcements for all viewers, in order to really capture the 90s feel. Professor Whalen got them to play on the television to recreate the feeling of seeing the fast-paced and vibrant commercials for the first time by using a Raspberry Pi device that is well known for its emulating abilities.

Other students contributed furniture,

finally able to get Windows 98 onto the computer.

After the exhibit was up and running, we had a few couch cushions go missing.

Because of this, we put up a note in the exhibit that encourages students to not disrupt the room. We later found the cushions in the Writing Center, being used by students who were working on their thesis.

Andrew Boswell / The Blue & Gray Press.

The 90s exhibit is opened to everyone, so feel free to come by to check it out, relax and travel back in time to have some fun before finals. Just make sure to put everything back where you found it, and please rewind the VHS tapes if you watch one of them. We will continue to work on the exhibit along with our website, http:// somewhere.media/backtothe90s/ until classes are over for the semester.

Andrew Boswell / The Blue & Gray Press.

the spring semester of 2015. Whalen decided to not have any other professors to aid him this time. Several students proposed an individual study to help make this 90s room.

The whole group contributed to the exhibit. I provided about one hundred unique commercials that represented the 90s era. It wasn’t a difficult task for me due to my experience with video editing but it was still a bit time consuming. Watching and splicing a large file of 30-second commercials about one hundred times and waiting for them to render in my video editor takes a lot of time. I archived commercials aimed at different demographics like

accessories and video game systems like the Nintendo 64, PlayStation and the Game Boy Color along with many corresponding games. There is also a working VCR with a diverse library of movies in VHS. From Disney’s “Flubber” to “Apollo 13,” there’s a movie for everyone to sit back and enjoy.

Of course, we had a few bumps in the road during the production of the 90s exhibit. It took Professor Whalen a while to get the computer to run on Windows 98. It was difficult to get the Windows 98 operating system onto the computer, because of its age and the lack of working parts when it was found. We had to come up with some workarounds until we were

Andrew Boswell/The Blue & Gray Press.

A crowded campus is a small price to pay for recruiting future Eagles “I think a few extra signs and posts on bulletin boards would help those not keen to using emails [to stay] informed,” said McGowan. “As an example, Hot Spot

warning us,” said Danso. “The places to eat and Campus Walk are always overpopulated.”

English major, Georgie Silva likes

Unlike a lot of students, Silva feels like the school gives her enough notice, so she can prepare for the cluttered campus.

April is a stressful month for Mary “The university does a good job of Washington students, but this stress warning us with emails [letting us is not solely because of assignments know] how many people will be or presentations. During the month of here,” continued Silva. “But I feel April the UMW Admissions Office like bringing them at lunch, and welcomes large groups of individuals such, creates a lot of chaos for both interested in Mary Washington to us and visitors.” campus. Tour guides show these Psychology major, Kristina groups around residence halls, Haskins agreed that the warning classrooms and popular campus emails from the university are scenes such as Ball Circle. helpful.

However, these large groups of “I do think the school has done enthusiastic visitors can bring stress a good job letting us know about to some students and abounding joy these busy days we’ve had,” said to others.

Haskins. “As a commuter student, it Khayla McGowan, a junior is important for me to know as well history major, loves when she sees because it affects my commute in large groups of visitors wandering the morning.” around campus. “I love open house,” While students at Mary said McGowan. “I feel like it gives Washington may differ in opinion me the opportunity to connect to on the topic of open houses and possible incoming freshmen and destination days, they all know that transfers... Sometimes I get stopped Libby Simmons / Facebook. these events are essential in the Washington Guides pose on a golf cart during an Admissions event. for questions and I feel like I am decision making process of future possibly recruiting a future Eagle and their advertises on Twitter, but they also have Destination days at UMW. Eagles. family to join us in such a critical, yet fun, signs posted throughout campus.”

“I think the destination days are really “We must keep an open mind and moment in their lives.”

Biology major, Ella Danso, is fine with good for showing people the campus and realize that we, too, were in that position However, McGowan does feel that the open houses and destination days, but what it’s like during a regular day when at one point,” said McGowan. “And some extra warning for current students she is frustrated with the amount of people people are out and about going to class,” showing aversion to those days signals would be helpful to those who do not she runs into on her way to classes and said Silva. “But I also think they bring in to potential students and families that we share the same feelings she has regarding dining areas. a huge amount of people at once and it aren't as welcoming as the next school open houses.

“The school doesn’t do a good job of crowds places like the UC.” could possibly seem.”

ES HETHCOX Online Editor

7

Campus. Life. All. Week.

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

• Devil Goat Day @ 3 p.m., Ball Circle

• Pre-Finals Blowout @ 6 p.m., Ball Circle

• Reading Day

Sunday • Reading Day

• Alumni Panel @ 6pm, • UMW Beer Release Monroe 122 Party @ 7 p.m., the Underground • Glow in the Dark Capture the Flag @ 9 p.m., Ball Circle

@theBlueandGray

BlueandGrayPress

The Blue & Gray Press

LIFE

Personal essay: handwriting and typing are both acceptable KAYTLYN BIDDE Staff Writer

Many professors on campus allow students to use their laptops in class, but some professors don’t. In high school I was required to write my notes in a notebook or a binder. When I came to college, I found that most students took notes on their laptops. I tried this approach but then, I found that I stopped paying attention and felt that I wasn’t learning properly. I had stopped critically thinking.

When I would handwrite my notes and papers, thoughts flowed naturally for me. One idea bled into another and little side-notes or inspirations could go in the margins but typing took that away from me. I found my notes to be word-forword recordings of what the professor was saying. I had trouble making sense of my notes because it was not in my own words. Studying from my computer was a nightmare as well.

I got easily distracted, so I would bounce from one set of notes to another and before I knew it I was working on a project that wasn’t due for weeks rather than studying for tomorrow’s exam.

The same thing happens when I write

papers. There is something so intimidating about a blank computer screen, with its slow blinking cursor. I grew afraid of it. I

Frustrated, I took a class called “Student Development” at Germanna Community College. The curriculum

Notetaking/Pexels.

wanted to take handwritten notes in class, but I rarely saw other people writing out their notes. I was afraid that if I traded in my keyboard for a pen, I would fall behind during class because handwriting can take so much longer.

covered different strategies for success in college, such as, time management, selfcare and note-taking techniques. I learned all the benefits of handwritten notes and of using different colors. I never typed in class again. All my notes from my first

three years of college are handwritten. I have gone through countless pens, both basic black and colored. My penmanship has vastly improved, and I have learned to fear the blank physical page rather than the blinking, unnerving digital page.

This decision has not been without consequences. Most classes are digitalminded classes now, where you can pull up lecture notes and PowerPoint slides, or activities that involve websites and word processors. You can’t exactly pull up a web browser in a notebook. Even my midterm portfolio was a source of complication for me. My first instinct was to handwrite notes and the informal letters. It wasn’t until I was turning it in that I realized I probably should have typed it all up.

I have learned that I am not completely alone in this decision. Others struggle with collecting their thoughts on a computer. I feel bad about it but it does make me feel better knowing that I am not alone. There is just something that seems limiting about physically writing. Yes, it is limiting, but creativity thrives under guidelines. Some of us might need literal lines rather than digital ones.

Anglers head to local fishing spots for start of season

Devil Goat Day: the traditional class competition continues

WILL BRORSEN Staff Writer

THEODOSIUS ZOTOS Staff Writer

As the weather continues to warm up, summer fishermen start to break out their tackle boxes and fishing rods. The Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg is a great place to fish, and the fish start biting around this time. Fishing right now is the best experience, there’s always time for just one more cast.

Old Cossey Pond, adjacent to the dog park on Kenmore Avenue is stocked with trout and channel catfish every year. The pond provides students with a place, only a few blocks off campus, to catch their supper. This small pond next to the bike path often has many fishermen,

Without the right lure, catching fish is impossible. Soon striped bass will follow the shad up river.

Senior environmental geology major and Fredericksburg local, Logan Benshoff said, “The trick is to have the shad darts.”

A growing problem for fishermen in this area is the increasing amount of the invasive northern snakehead fish.

They can grow to over 40 inches and 18 pounds. A couple years ago these fish could only be found downstream in the Potomac. Along the Rappahannock River Heritage Trail at the Indian Punchbowl there are bow fisherman filling trash bags

Grab your green or red and put your game faces on -- today is the big day.

Every year on the Thursday of the last week of classes, the most anticipated and

Goat Day will include familiar options, such as inflatables and food, students can always expect a brand-new design for t-shirts and promotions.

Students gather in front of Lee Hall for Devil Goat Day in 1983.

City Dock, a popular fishing location.

immediately after the pond is stocked.

Other students though, have found greater success in the Rappahannock River. Specifically, the Old Mill Park and the city docks and along the Rappahannock River Heritage Trail are popular spots for fishermen. The shad fish are currently running in Fredericksburg.

Fishing near the Rappahannock River Fall Line in the rapids is working is the best place to catch shad fish.

fredericksburgva.gov.

full of snakeheads daily.

For beginner fishers, it is important to remember to get a fishing license or risk getting fined by the game warden.

A freshwater resident fishing license for one year in Virginia is only $23. The cost is definitely worth it, with the beautiful Rappahannock so close. Even if the catching goes poorly, fishing in such great locations is still an enjoyable activity.

Good luck out there, fish enthusiasts.

epic UMW event of the year takes place.

This event is known as Devil Goat Day, and for most students (and sometimes even the faculty and administration) the day is a chance to prove which class reigns supreme over the other. The highly anticipated UMW event is organized by Class Council and has been in place for almost 100 years, making it one of the oldest traditions at UMW. Graduating classes are split into two teams: even graduation years as goats and odd graduation years as devils. This year will feature a momentous clash between the devils from the classes of 2017 and 2019 and the goats from the classes of 2018 and 2020.

In recent years, the Devil Goat Day tradition has included inflatables, pizza, a rock wall, snow cones, funnel cakes and, arguably the most important, free t-shirts. Each year, the freshman class officers spend the entire year planning the event and add their own touch on such an already unique event. Although Devil

UMW Archives.

Freshman biology major Ellie Kilmon and Class of 2020 Vice President said, “We are so excited to see everyone’s reaction to this year’s t-shirts. I am so proud of everyone who had a hand in the design process.”

Some of the new installations to this year’s celebration include tug-of-war competitions between Devils and Goats, festive playing cards, and even a snapchat geo filter. However, students can still expect a courageous countdown by fellow Devil and Dean of Student Life, Cedric Rucker, who is no stranger to the Devil Goat Day tradition.

With a win from the Devils last year and a win from the Goats the year before, it will be interesting to see which group of competitors will come out on top and claim the crown.

Dean Rucker reflected on the event’s history and upcoming celebration, saying, “despite our differences and competitive spirits on Devil-Goat Day, at the end of the day we are all reunited as Eagles.”

9

NEWS

POLICE BEAT MEAGHAN MCINTYRE News Editor

Possession

On Sunday April 23 at 1:40 a.m., possession of drug paraphernalia occurred at Mason Hall. A student received an administrative referral.

Records reveal racist attitudes held by teammates

•ORSTED| 1

from the team before her tryout date, which was agreed to be on Oct. 15. Orsted’s mother drove her to this meeting and advised her daughter to record the conversation.

She kept a journal of the comments made by teammates and covertly recorded conversations between her and

“It is unheard of for a prospective student athlete to be barred from tryouts on the basis of an alleged failure to bond with team members.”

-Edward Hegmann Applebury. Orsted asked Applebury to address her concerns and the racially charged comments that the team members were laughing about.

No immediate action was taken after Orsted reported her complaints to Applebury, while UMW policies require administrators and university personnel to act promptly after receiving any complaints of racial discrimination.

According to the summary of judgement from the settled case, Tyler did nothing for six days until Vice President Douglas Searcey contacted him about the complaints.

Tyler said he was “waiting to see how things would work out,” according to the case files.

Orsted filed her lawsuit on Sep. 2, 2015. Prior to this date, Applebury was confronted by UMW investigators about why she decided to cut Orsted before her tryout date. Vice President Searcey told investigators that he was well aware how Orsted was “denied a chance to tryout,” according to the court records.

Applebury told UMW investigators that she cut Orsted from the team because it did not look like she had good chemistry with her teammates.

Edward Hegmann, a former UMW athletics director from 1976 to 2012, said in his testimony that, “it is the very role of a coach to help players develop the chemistry the coach seeks,” rather than expecting members to instantly make connections with teammates.

Pre-season activities are also optional and anyone can participate in them, according to the syllabus.

Hegmann also said in response to Orsted’s early cut that “it is unheard of for a prospective student athlete to be barred from tryouts on the basis of an alleged failure to bond with team members.”

When dismissing Orsted from the team, Applebury told her, “I have to go with the group because it’s a team sport, for right, for wrong or otherwise,” which Orsted gave as evidence from her recordings. The day that Orsted was dropped from the team she was also taken off the Group-Me chat by an unknown individual.

Later in the legal battle, Applebury switched her reasoning for cutting Orsted from not ‘fitting-in’ with the other members to saying that there just weren’t enough spots on the roster and that Orsted “did not have the skill lev-

10

el or capability needed to play for the UMW women’s basketball team.”

She made these decisions without having watched Orsted play live and only having seen a few minutes of a video of Orsted playing for NOVA, which the assistant coach found on the internet.

According to Tyler, “any good coach would tell you [that coaches] differentiate between video and live [since] effort, interaction with teammates [and] interaction with coaches is not able to be seen on film but it is able to be observed if you’re there live,” according to the court files.

However, Applebury’s testimony about not having enough room on the roster was false. According to court records, Applebury sent Tyler a list of the rostered players which included Orsted’s name shortly before she decided to cut her from the team. In the joint interview, Tyler said nothing while Applebury misrepresented documented information.

On Oct. 9, Tyler met with Orsted’s parents. He discussed the reasons behind Applebury’s decision and denied Orsted’s claims about team members making racially charged comments.

Tyler said towards the end of the meeting, “You can have a tryout if that will make you happy.”

This upset Orsted’s parents and they told Tyler that they wanted to meet with Applebury to discuss what had been occurring and to hear from her that Orsted would be given a fair tryout. However, Tyler did not accept their request and said that Orsted would be able to tryout only on the established date.

After Orsted was given the opportunity to tryout again, she was worried that she did not have enough time to prepare for the date, since she had been dropped from the Group-Me chat and did not know when the drilling, scrimmaging or practices were being held.

The court records gave evidence of the types of comments which were made by the teammates. Some of those comments, noted of in the files, involved teammates talking about how they wouldn’t want to live in the ghetto or go to a black church, how one player went to Haiti and took a picture with a “little skinny, hungry black boy,” and saying that black people never shave because they’re so dark. The last comment was said in response to someone stating that they felt gross for not shaving.

According to the evidence disclosed in the summary of judgment, throughout the 14 years of Applebury’s tenure there have only been three black women on the basketball team in contrast to the men’s team being one-third black. This information was listed as evidence as it is striking that at a university comprised

primarily of women, the men’s basketball team has a higher ratio of black to white players.

Riley, also a former student who tried out with Orsted, reported complaints about “racist talk, hostile and insensitive racial attitudes on the women’s basketball team,” and was cut from the team before tryouts and felt that she had been dropped from the team suddenly without explanation, according to the summary of judgment.

Tyler was aware of the two similar complaints made by Riley and Orsted, who were both trying out for the same team but decided that the issue was insignificant and not of his concern. He did not think that the matter needed to be addressed.

In the court files, it states that he didn’t think Riley’s input would have been useful in investigating Orsted’s complaint. He had considered sending team members to diversity and inclusiveness counseling and later did so for the first time in his career.

During the process of reporting, Johnson, Applebury and Tyler were each contacted through email for comment on April 11. Anna Billingsley, Associate Vice President of University Relations, responded on behalf of each person with the statement written by Juliette Landphair that was mentioned at the beginning of this article.

Court records show that the university agreed to make future student athletes aware of “potential school credit ramifications of not making a team,” to revise the tryout policy, and that the payment would be made shortly after the settlement became official.

The settlement agreement was made by both parties to reduce any further

“I have to go with the group because it’s a team sport, for right, for wrong or otherwise,” -Deena Applebury costs that would be made if the case were to continue. In addition to both parties’ mutual agreement, the university also agreed to incorporate sensitivity training into the athletics department.

On April 24, 2017, the Washington Post came out with an article addressing this settlement, focusing on interviews with Orsted that shine light on the uncertainties felt by many black students, in regard to how to deal with racism on campus. However, doubts of racism become validated through cases such as her own, where the disheartening behaviors of others are exposed and talked about in public. Orsted said, in the article, that for her it was important to press on with her concerns and that she could not have done it without the support of her mother.

President Troy Paino read the Washington Post article and wrote a statement to the UMW community. He said, “In my ten months here at Mary Washington, I have come to know the individuals who make up this community… they are persons of character and commitment – and they do not condone discrimination of any kind.”

Thursday, April 27, 2017

NEWS

Potential change in policy calls for mandatory course evaluations

UFC Website

GARY KNOWLES Staff Writer

Debra Schleef, the assistant provost for Institutional Analysis and Effectiveness, initiated a motion to change how student evaluations work at the end of each semester. Currently, not all classes are evaluated at the end of every semester. If this proposed addition to the faculty handbook is approved, then students enrolled in credit courses will be given an evaluation form for those classes. Meaning that all courses would be evaluated starting next semester even courses that do not normally get evaluated.

The College of Business and the College of Education are currently the only colleges at the University of Mary Washington that require evaluations for all courses. The College of Arts and Sciences follows an informal policy that sees that tenured professors are evaluated on rotating schedule. Therefore, the

the evaluations by extending the evaluations to cover tenured faculty and non-tenured faculty. The change is motivated to improve teaching for the student body at UMW. Craig Vasey, professor and chair in the philosophy department, does not believe the motion will have an impact.

According to Vasey, the rate of return on these evaluations is less than 40 percent.

“I do not think it will make any significant difference if this change is made,” said Vasey. “It is undeniably unusual –considering the national norm— that courses would not be evaluated every time they are taught.”

Schleef provided some details on why the system of evaluating courses on a rotating basis was implemented in the past. According to her, the current system of not evaluating tenured professors every semester started in the mid90s in order to cut costs. This issue is no longer a concern, however.

“The reason for that no longer exists,

“It is undeniably unusual –considering the national norm—that courses would not be evaluated every time they are taught.”

-Craig Vasey tenured professors do not get evaluated each semester.

There are some exceptions to the evaluation requirement. Courses that provide credit for participation on an intercollegiate athletics team, private music lessons, undergraduate research, guided research, senior projects, individual studies, internships and practicum classes, do not fall under this policy. A few other exceptions were noted for courses with five or fewer students, summer courses (unless the professor requests an evaluation) and experimental courses by tenured faculty.

This type of feedback is important in helping the professors improve how they teach their students in the future.

This motion would be beneficial to students as well.

“A broader culture of understanding about evaluations and how they are used would help everyone but especially students,” said Schleef. She wants to promote a culture of solidarity around

Thursday, April 27, 2017

since the process we use costs the same to evaluate 900 courses as it does to evaluate 660,” said Schleef.

There appears to be no reason to continue evaluating tenured professors on their current evaluation schedule. However, it is unclear whether this amendment would bring dramatic changes in teaching styles across UMW. Schleef and Vasey both mentioned that almost all universities evaluated their professors every semester and the motion was created in order to follow that practice.

The change has not been approved yet and the concept of it has faced mixed reviews.

“There have been some faculty who are opposed to the handbook change and others who like the idea,” said Schleef.

“It’s a faculty decision to make.”

Despite the motion’s implications for that professors are the deciding factor, the results will rely on feedback from students.

Maintenance crew fails to keep Seacobeck doors locked

•SEACOBECK | 2

may have been related to the reported incident. The records are meager and detail-less.

Records show mostly trespassing, and vandalism to windows and window screens, but on March 8, 2017 the log tells of one incident involving petit-larceny. This likely happened because of the building’s history and lucrative assets.

Petit larceny in Virginia is classified as the theft of money or items valued at $200 or less, and in the March 8th incident, the Log notes that a marble divider wall was taken from the hall. Since the records of break-ins are so scarce despite the large number of occurrences, only speculation can take place about how the stolen material and damage that has been done.

Rick Pearce, Mary Washington’s vice president of Administration and Finance oversee’s the building operations at the school.

“We’ve had several people break windows to get in, but it’s just a dangerous place to be in right now,” said Pearce. “It’s not in very good shape.”

For safety purposes, administration is trying to keep the building isolated.

“We’re trying to pretty much keep people out of there,” said Pearce, who gave his recollection of what is wrong inside Seacobeck. His concerns stem from not having functional safety and security equipment. Pearce said, “none of the fire alarms… or anything like that is working properly right now.”

The University’s Annual Security Report says that, “All Residence halls and Academic/Administrative buildings at the University are monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.” However, this is not the case with Seacobeck hall, which is why such precautions are taken to wean out nosey passerbys.

On the outside, Seacobeck arguably does not look very special. From the street and sidewalks one can see the wear and tear on the building from time and age, and even some of the remnants of the incidents reported by the University Police Department. At the top, a broken circular window, about the majestic dome room that history tells so much about, matching the bottom windows with slashed screens and forced-open windowpanes.

The doors and door locks are old and easily tampered with, however, despite the dangers, the lights inside invite such curiosity, almost just as they once did during the Hall’s prime. During its 85 years of service, Seacobeck Hall has earned its bumps and bruises, as well as made a name for itself.

James Rollins, class of 64, still remembers the beginnings of Seacobeck Hall and was glad to have had an opportunity to visit during the grand finale back in April 2015.

“I remember the linens,” he said.

“Nobody serves food at the dining halls anymore. Buffets everywhere! But I remember the waitresses, sometimes girls that went to the university, sometimes not, that brought meals to the table, and the intimacy of the table linens. It was

quite a different experience.” He recalls the “fancy finishes” on the walls, and the “very high, elaborate ceilings”, that Pearce says are approximately forty feet high. The very same dining linens, Pearce attributed to “the finishing school for ladies,” and our continuing growing history as a school.

The hall was one of the last buildings designed by the school’s original architecture firm, Charles M. Robinson, Architects, practicing out of Richmond, Virginia. He designed all of the original buildings on the Fredericksburg campus, and is known internationally for his work. The need for Seacobeck dining hall came after Willard Hall became too crowded for the student body population. So President Combs sought a way to fix this problem.

Mr. Robinson designed structures for many big name Virginia schools, such as William and Mary, James Madison University, and even the Virginia State University. Michael Spencer, the University’s Assistant Professor and Director of Historic Preservation, created an entire book on the history of the University and its buildings.

Some of Robinson’s designs are no longer in use, but many of the schools, including Mary Washington has decided that with such distinct and unique historical architecture, renovations is the way to preserve and move forward into the future. While the Hall was expanded on to accommodate more students, and to include amenities like air conditioning, the building is now too small for the University’s dining needs.

Rick Pearce says that the University is looking to partner with a new architectural firm to implement a three-step plan of action in Seacobeck’s upcoming refurbishing.

“Number one, plan for how we want to use it,” said Pearce. “Two, preserve it. And three, start designing.”

There has already been thought put into how Seacobeck can be used to benefit the university the most.

“We think we have enough space for multiple uses, but the College of Education is growing, so we think that’ll be their new home,” said Pearce. “But there’s still so much space available in an ‘incredibly unique building’. ” When considering the intricate architectural design, the round kitchen and its surrounding glass dome, the ceilings and the infamous “Dome Room” one may understand how 85 years of wear and tear might affect such work.

“It’s falling apart,” said Pearce. “But we want to honor it, because it’s so old, and we want to use it for something that is really, really good.”

Pearce sites the location, which is so close to College Avenue and has many large windows, as a big deal to the University. He believes that it could be a place to showcase student and faculty artwork alike.

“It’s really cool, it’s just a really cool building”, Pearce said. He discussed the history of various campus buildings.

“Trinkle Hall used to be our library, but we outgrew that, and we’ve grown out of this library too… we need to do some work on that.”

“We’re trying to pretty much keep people out of there.”

-Rick Pearce

11

SPORTS

Editor: Ryan Brauch | blueandgray.sports@gmail.com

Women’s lacrosse awaits tournament bid after amazing season

KAYTLYN BIDDLE Staff Writer

The UMW Eagles Men’s Lacrosse teThe women’s lacrosse team has had a landmark season this year. It has been one of the most successful since recent years.

They made it to the semifinals of the Capital Athletic Conference, where they faced their personal team to beat, Salisbury. It marked their first shutout game since 1987 against Southern Virginia and on senior day no less.

They were No. 8 in the country for goals against average but the rankings are not what these girls continue to come out for. “It doesn’t matter where you are in rankings,” said Maiah Bartlett, senior geography major. “I’ve never competed on a team with a group of girls that I consider not just teammates but friends.”

Records have been broken and streaks have been created. It’s not just the sta-

tistics or the number of w’s that fuel the spirit of this team, it’s the chemistry that runs between each of the players that makes this team one to remember. That once-in-a-lifetime form of teamwork and cooperation that have lead the women’s lacrosse team to being ranked No. 14.

“We all have a positive drive and the same goals in mind,” said Bartlett. “It feels like you’re reading the minds of some of your teammates... everyone’s on the same level [and] everyone clicks now.”

The successes in the early season just made the team play harder and helped cement their place amongst other teams.

“Last year we were the underdogs... Everyone was like, ‘Oh, it’s Mary Washington,’ but now people are taking a second look,” Bartlett said.

This newfound respect amongst other teams stems from the way the players just seem to click. “Everything fell into place this year,” said Bartlett. Their connection is not just amongst the players but the coaches as well.

“They believe in us and they show it,” said Bartlett. “It makes you feel so much more confident going into a game knowing they think you can win.” The team has been slowly building to this year since Coach Caitlin Moore took over leadership four years ago.

“She shook it up,” Bartlett said.

A shake up is exactly what the team has been doing this season. They kept a winning streak over seven games that only ended this Saturday after a hard-fought game against Salisbury. However, this defeat isn’t an end to the team’s upward

trend.

“It’s a tough reality as a senior but it’s exciting to know you’re leaving a team that will carry on your successes,” said Bartlett.

The women’s lacrosse is still waiting to hear about a potential bid in the upcoming NCAA tournament that starts on May 13.

Sue Spencer / Perfect Shots Sabrina Elliott

Men’s lacrosse has high hopes for next year

Miles Davis

Sue Spencer / Perfect Shots

Sue Spencer/ Perfect Shots

WILL ATKINSON Staff Writer

The UMW Men’s Lacrosse season came to a close on a rainy Saturday afternoon in Salisbury, Maryland to the nationally top ranked Salisbury Seagulls. The Eagles were eliminated in the quarterfinal round of the Capital Athletic Conference playoffs after a dominant first round victory over the Frostburg Bobcats.

The Eagle’s regular season was filled with adversity, beginning with a major coaching change over the off-season.

First year head coach, Drew Delaney, was tasked with replacing longtime head coach, Kurt Glaeser, who retired after coaching for 27 years. Before coaching for UMW, Delaney coached at Elizabethtown College and began the lacrosse program at Arcadia University.

The Eagles began their season with a tough, 13-9 loss rivaling Hampden-Sydney, eventually finishing the opening month of February with one win and three losses, none of which were conference games.

After surviving the frigid first hump of

Thursday, April 27 2017

their regular season the Eagles would face the brunt of their CAC opponents, arguably one of the nation’s premier Division III conferences. Squaring off against a lot of talented teams including nationally ranked York College, Christopher Newport University and Salisbury University.

The Eagles would pass their March tests coming out with an even record of four wins and four losses, combining a season record of four wins and seven losses. The losses came at the hands of York, Salisbury, CNU and a heartbreaking 11-10 loss to Catholic, a game which senior captain Miles Davis believes was the “worst loss of the season.” Despite the tough losses, UMW Eagles pulled off an incredible upset over a previously nationally ranked Washington and Lee team, 16-13.

In the last stretch of the season the Eagles began to find their stride, finishing the regular season with four straight wins over Southern Virginia, St. Mary’s, Frostburg State and Marymount. In the opening round of the CAC playoffs the Eagles

would rematch Frostburg and win 11-9.

After a great performance by sophomore Eli Ayer, winning 18 out of 23 face-offs.

Sadly, the next game the Eagles would lose to the number-one seeded Salisbury Seagulls. The Eagles finished the season with a respectable 9-8 record.

Throughout the 2017 campaign, the Eagles relied heavily on their experienced attack, led by seniors Mike Marson, Drew Carlson and Miles Davis, all three leading the team in goals in that order. Marson led the pack with a whopping 39 goals on the season.

“Overall I think we had a very solid team this year... We had a lot of experience on attack with a great group of middies, young and old,” said Carlson. “Our defense and goalies also stepped up in big ways throughout the season.”

Senior captain, Miles Davis was not always an Eagle. Davis started his collegiate lacrosse career playing for St. John’s University, a Division I program in Philadelphia. “I transferred to move closer

to home and get back in Virginia... I am from a small town so Fredericksburg is a lot more comfortable than Philadelphia,” said Davis.

In his third year playing with the Eagles, Davis was given a more limited role on offense but was still able to cap off his senior year leading the team with 55 total points. “Overall I am a better player this year than last year... I had a worse shooting percentage and fewer goals compared to last season but my role changed,” said Davis. “I was more of a facilitator for the offense.”

Next year, the Eagles plan on returning to the CAC playoffs led by a large junior and senior class. The rejuvenated coaching staff will be ready to take the team back to the playoffs.

“Coach Delaney and Coach Gallagher were great, it was a fresh start... They shot some new energy into the lacrosse program,” said Davis. “My prediction is a winning record and a conference semifinal appearance at the least.”

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