The Blue & Gray Press

THE

BLUE &GRAY

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER

PRESS

September 6, 2018

VOLUME 92 | ISSUE 1 SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE

1922

President Troy Paino addresses university community about goals in All UMW Assembly

MEAGHAN MCINTYRE News Editor

With the fall semester rapidly approaching, on Friday, August 17, UMW President Troy Paino took the stage in Dodd Auditorium to give his annual address. Attended primarily by faculty and staff, the All UMW Assembly gave the UMW community a chance to hear from President Paino about his plans for the university.

From discussing the new statement of community values, to the unexpected closure of Alvey and Arrington, to his “master plan,” and more, President Paino’s address covered a variety of topics that directly impact the UMW community. He also discussed the importance of civic agency, which he called a “core principle of our public liberal arts mission.”

During the start of the assembly, an emphasis was placed on the new statement of community values. The ASPIRE acronym which stands for accountability, scholarship, personal and institutional integrity, inclusive excellence, respect and civility, and engagement was discussed in heavy detail by Paino.

“I think that it captures in every respect what we’re about and what we strive to be,” said Paino.

To some students, the presence of these characteristics are apparent to

As he prepared to begin his third year at UMW, President Troy Paino gave his annual address.

them on a daily basis at UMW. “I believe that I see what ASPIRE

Photo courtesy of http://www.umw.edu/inauguration/

it every day when people open doors for people. Some people can go as far

even though it isn’t their strongest subject.”

“Last year I witnessed these as the values on campus,” said “The silver lining in losing these residence halls is that it is fast sophomore anthropology major Flowers. “I definitely see forwarding the process of addressing the problems, and so we Courtney inclusive excellence, respect and are going to have to deal with these residence halls in some cases civility, and engagement on campus a lot.” very rapidly and in succession.”

“Yes I believe that the ASPIRE values are seen throughout campus,” said sophomore business -President Troy Paino major Bryanna Lansing. “I have definitely experienced inclusive talks about on campus,” said junior as helping tutor even though we don’t •ALL UMW ASSEMBLY | 11 psychology major Alexis Erb. “I see have to or helping with homework

New semester presents change in fitness center hours and group classes [faculty and staff] mentioned was that the fitness center was not open early enough,” said Shannon.

The results of the poll led to a proposition to have faculty and staff pay an added fee in order to open the gym earlier. Campus Recreation ultimately decided against this idea.

This past year, the President’s Council on Wellness created a report that identified challenges associated with campus health and proposed solutions. One such challenge was that

“[President Paino] specifically is really excited about it because he has always wanted to use the fitness center pre-7 a.m.”

On August 22, UMW Campus The fitness center implemented Recreation announced that the fitness these earlier hours beginning August center would be opening an hour earlier 23. Every day since, Shannon says the than previous years. The fitness center fitness center staff has seen individuals is now open Monday through Thursday waiting and ready to come in before 6 from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Fridays a.m. from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and “The even more interesting point Sunday from 11a.m. to 8 p.m. is that most of them [waiting] are Kelly Shannon, director of Campus students, faculty and staff are only a Recreation, said this decision was small handful of that group,” said made with students’ needs Shannon. in mind.

“Now we have this great A $10 group fitness class “When I first started opportunity to focus on the quality of the fee was introduced for students here, we were open until at the start of this past school 9 p.m., Monday through courses over the quantity.” year. While the total number of Friday. We heard that participants attending classes did staying opening later would -Kelly Shannon not increase, the average number serve the students better, of classes that each person went to so we figured out ways, did rise. the fitness center was not opening early resource wise, to make that happen “Those who did buy into it and paid enough. within our department,” said Shannon.

“We had a hard time dedicating the fee came to more classes because During this time, Campus some of our allocated budget that we they were more invested due to the Recreation polled faculty and staff to receive since some of it is student fees, fee,” said Brittanie Naff, the Assistant get a better understanding of why they but we didn’t want to meet a faculty/ Director for Fitness and Wellness. were not using the fitness center as staff request with student fees. And so The decision to create the fee frequently as they could be, especially for students prompted a lengthy President Paino gave us money for the since their memberships came at no conversation to figure out how the additional hour to open early Monday charge. through Friday,” explained Shannon. fitness center should utilize the new “One of the biggest things that

MAcKENZIE HARD Staff Writer

IN THIS

ISSUE

CLUB CARNIVAL

PLASTIC WASTE

The fitness center is a popular workout place on campus. Zanab Farooq / The Blue & Gray Press

revenue, especially in consideration of the services Campus Recreation provides beyond the fitness center.

“When I started here three and a half years ago, we didn’t oversee aquatics, we didn’t have an outdoor rec program, and we didn’t have personal training. And so in order to grow and provide the quantity of offerings, we had to really get creative about how we were going to make use of our allocated resources, but also be able to use some of our revenues to support all of our different areas,” said Shannon.

Much of •Fitness Center | 2 revenue that

NEW COURT

Over 120 clubs highlighted at club carnival.

UMW students conflicted on plastic.

Tennis coach steps into new role.

LIFE | 7

VIEWPOINTS | 4

SPORTS | 12

NEWS

Editors: Meaghan McIntyre & Kate Seltzer | blueandgray.news@gmail.com

Fitness center looks for new instructors

THE

BLUE & GRAY PRESS

•FITNESS CENTER | 1

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.

Change in parking policies causes stress for UMW community.

EDITORS-AT-LARGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lauren Closs

Associate Editor Ginny Bixby

Managing Editor Ryan Brauch

SECTION EDITORS NEWS Meaghan McIntyre Kate Seltzer

VIEWPOINTS Grace Winfield

LIFE Lucas Burkholder

SPORTS Jack Hagn

ONLINE Ronic Ngambwe Harry Fisher

PHOTO Cayley McGuire

FACULTY ADVISOR Sushma Subramanian

Photo courtesy of Eagle Eye

UMW community members adjust to new parking policy restricted. Section 58-173 of the City Code of Ordinances specifically prohibits UMW commuters from The Office of Parking Management parking on an alphabet soup of nearby recently announced new parking streets -- from Adams to William. regulations for the academic year.

Excluding College Avenue, 37 A change from past years, students streets are at least partly off limits to will now be unable to park on the commuter students between 8:30 a.m. resident side of College Avenue, as that and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. parking is reserved for Fredericksburg Junior English majors Alena Sigsby residents. However, some two-hour and Charlotte Brehmer said the City of parking is permitted where posted Fredericksburg should do more to help along College Avenue.

UMW with parking given that it enjoys CJ Porter, the director of Transfer the benefits of a college town. and Off-Campus Student Services, said “If they are going to restrict the that parking on campus can sometimes students to not park on the resident’s be a challenge. “I hardly know where side of college avenue, they should to park myself,” she said. But, she said cut down the fee or allow commuter parking at UMW students to be has gotten better “They need to come up with able to park in over the years, and an alternative space for those near[by] parking she understands lots to have a better students that relied on parking access to their class the need for the on College Avenue.” new regulations. buildings,” said “Parking has been Sigsby. always a challenge, “They need to -Charlotte Brehmer and I have not come up with an heard everyone alternative space for being happy with those students that parking on campus. However, parking relied on parking on College Avenue,” in general is a challenge everywhere.” agreed Brehmer.

Porter also said faculty members Gabriela Acuna, a senior business have an easier job parking on campus administration major, expressed a than students, in part because similar sentiment. “Parking on campus professors are sometimes permitted to could probably improve if UMW park on the residence side of College would get more support from the city’s Avenue. residents,” Acuna said.

English and Communications Some students have had little Professor Elizabeth Johnson-Young difficulty adjusting to the new parking said she is not usually concerned regulations. with parking because she lives near “I always park at the same enough to campus to walk. She said place, Thornton Street, early in the there are times when she has to park morning, so I do not have a problem a block away from her house because with parking,” said senior business of students parking in residential administration major Yuleiny Garcia. areas, but she is not bothered by the She said the only problem she faces inconvenience. is the far distance from commuter CJ Porter said the university designated parking to the main is bound by Fredericksburg’s city campus. ordinances, which set the new parking The Office of Parking Management regulations. Even without the added is located in Lee Hall in 201B. Specific guidelines for College Avenue, parking questions should be directed to commuter parking is already heavily parking manager Jean Elliott.

MARIE ROPER Staff Writer

Campus Recreation has been able to bring in has been used to expand programming and grow the department.

Following the announcement of the earlier hours, Campus Recreation posted the schedule of Fitness Classes for this semester on their Instagram page. While many people were excited to learn about what classes were going to be offered, others were concerned about the limited offerings of classes.

Senior psychology major Christina Amaral said, “I think there is very little variety compared to last semester and because there are so few I won’t be able to make it to a ton of the classes so I don’t know if it’s even worth purchasing a $10 pass. Especially because I’m graduating in December so even if they add more next semester, that won’t help me.”

Several classes from years prior were removed from the schedule including Pound, Pitayo, Pilates, and Core and More.

Naff explained that the fitness class teachers are categorized as either community or student instructors.

Community instructors are individuals who are part of the Fredericksburg community, who are not students, and are hired through the Human Resources department. Student instructors are current students and have gone through instructor training.

Last school year, eight student instructors, many of whom taught more than one class, graduated, leading to the loss of about 14 group fitness course offerings.

“The goal is to replenish anyone who graduates. So we have a class that we offer for free called the Group Fitness Instructor Prep Course. And it is meant for students at UMW who are interested in becoming instructors,” said Naff. Throughout this course, interested students will come in and spend most of the semester learning everything they need to know about being a student instructor.

Many of the group fitness classes that were previously offered are no longer on the schedule because they were taught by community instructors who had to back out of the classes due to personal reasons.

“It felt like everything came falling down the two weeks before school started. So while not having replenished a lot of our instructors who graduated and then losing some of our community instructors, our offerings became limited,” said Naff. “I am proud of what we do have offered.”

“Now we have this great opportunity to focus on the quality of the courses over the quantity,” said Shannon. “We can really pay closer attention to each of our instructors, and we can give the feedback that they need to become better, and encourage those who aren’t certified to get certified.”

CORRECTIONS for THE Week PLEASE REPORT ANY MISTAKES SEEN IN THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS TO Lauren Closs, blueandgray.eic@gmail.com or Sushma Subramanian, ssubrama@umw.edu

2

SPORTS

Sports and childhood: A varsity athlete shares soccer

GEMMA SPICKA-PROFFIT Staff Writer

Something about everything that can be learned from sports Every summer, millions of children across the country are let out of school and left with much more free time than they previously had. One way that kids can utilize this newfound time is to play sports. Summer sports leagues are easy to join and fun for the whole season.

These summer leagues are made possible by all the passion and hours that are dedicated by the coaches.

Katie Rauch, a senior on the UMW Women’s Soccer team, is one of these coaches. This past summer, Rauch began coaching for Soccer Shots. This organization works with kids ages two through eight in developing early soccer and team building skills. She specifically worked with kids ages three through five.

She loved the job that mixed two of her favorite things: working with kids and soccer.

Rauch has been participating in soccer camps and teams since the age of three, and she fell in love with the sport early on. “It had crossed my mind several times to be a coach,” states Rauch, “and I have had really good coaches who told me that I could be a leader.” Her past mentors and coaches have been her inspiration for wanting to be a coach herself because she wants to share her

knowledge and love for the sports just as it was shared with her.

Coaching could certainly be challenging at times, especially since the kids of such a young age were very often very easily distracted. Despite its challenges, coaching is a very rewarding job. Rauch says her favorite thing about working with kids is being able to see how much they improve from when they first arrive until their last day, and how she gets “to watch and help the kids grow throughout the season.” It is satisfying to see all the hard work that goes into coaching result in the smiling faces of the kids when they accomplish something for the first time.

According to an article published by ESPN, 60% of boys and 47% of girls are involved in at least one organized sport by the time they are six. This statistic is not all inclusive because some children begin sports earlier than age six, but it is indicative of the popularity of sports in children. It is important to get kids active while they are young because healthy exercise habits often carry through to adulthood. A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine concluded that participating in sports in adolescence a few times a week was associated with a high level of physical activity later in life.

Organized sports are important for more than just teaching the skills of playing and exercising. Kids can learn

many other important values and characteristics through participation on a team, such as confidence, respect, leadership, and social skills. For Rauch, she says one of the most important things that she has learned through sports has been time management.

Since she has never taken a season off, she had to learn to balance a busy schedule of school work with hours of soccer practice every day.

Sports are a great way to meet people who are a similar age and have similar interests.

Additionally, many children growing up are introduced to a diverse group of people through sports that they may not have met or interacted with outside of their Katie Rauch, a womens soccer player.

UMW Athletics team. Friendships forged while team of focused girls.” The Women’s working together on a team have been Soccer Team was picked to place fifth in known to last a very long time. In more the annual CAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll recent years, Rauch has also come to this year, and Rauch is feeling motivated appreciate the networking benefits that and eager to prove them wrong. Above have come from playing soccer. “Many all else, she wants the girls on the team girls on my teams have gone off to play to have fun this season, and she knows at colleges, so I have many connections that being close knit will be really at different universities which could lead important for their success as a team. to different job opportunities,” states The Women’s Soccer team will host Rauch. their first two home games this weekend.

Rauch is enthusiastically looking They will play Huntingdon College on forward to her last season at UMW. She Saturday, September 8th at 12:30 PM, says “I’m feeling really good about our and they will play Berry College on season. We have a lot of new freshman Sunday, September 9th at 3:00 PM. coming in, and we have a really strong

UMW students comment on Redskin season hopes JOSEPH LANGLEY Staff Writer

Just like that, the 2018 NFL Season is just on the horizon. With the University of Mary Washington being roughly an hour away from our nation’s capital, students of Mary Washington have their takes on how the local Washington Redskins will fare this upcoming season.

The Redskins ended the 2017 season with a losing record of 7-9, which left a bitter taste in fans’ mouths as the potential for their beloved franchise absolutely dissipated. Former starting quarterback Kirk Cousins parted ways with the team after entering free agency and signing with the Minnesota Vikings for 3 years with a salary of $84 million.

The Redskins responded to Cousins’ departure by acquiring notable veteran Alex Smith from the Kansas City Chiefs.

Smith’s contract specifically includes $94 million as an overall salary and $71 million of those dollars being fully guaranteed. The Redskins also lucked out in the 2018 NFL Draft, picking mostly defensive players to add more depth to such a depleted squad.

These headlines present enough background already to be able to form opinions on how the team will actually fare, and I took the time to ask students here at the University of Mary Washington how they think the Redskins

Redskins come out of the gate.

will do in 2018. Junior Jonathan Bohannon grew up a die hard Redskins fan, and believes that his team has a lot to prove this season. “The Redskins have a very tough schedule this year...”

Bohannon tells the Blue & Gray. “With the NFC East already being the hardest division in Pro Football, the Redskins have an underdog label even before they play a single snap.

The reigning Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles play the Redskins twice every year, and this year will not be any easier. Along with the Eagles, the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys got better in the offseason.

Whether it was the draft or free agent acquisitions, improvements were made.

Redskins.com

The Redskins play the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, all whom made the playoffs in 2017. The Redskins will play 6 teams that made it to the playoffs this past year. While the schedule is not in their favor, I believe that this Redskins team will come out aggressive.” Bohannon is right, the Redskins will face countless stars at the quarterback position this upcoming season including: Drew Brees, Deshaun Watson, Carson Wentz, Eli Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton, along with Matt Ryan.

It seems as if the years that we, as Redskin fans, doubt the Redskins the most, they come back to surprise us.

“I feel that we’ll be 8-8 at best, while

most of the sporting world believes we won’t win more than 2-3 games.” Junior Edward Mussey was more critical of the team. I feel like the Redskins have little to no hope for this year. With the loss of rookie running back Derrius Guice, the mojo the Redskins had from this past offseason seems to have dissipated. Signing veteran running back Adrian Peterson was just another classic publicity stunt by the Redskins, I’m very doubtful that a 33 year old running back can have success in this league nonetheless in the gruesome NFC East.

While the Redskins added to their depth on both sides of the ball this offseason, I just don’t see how they could succeed in the majority of these games. If they have any hopes of being in the postseason, they need their veterans to step up to the challenge quickly. Veterans like cornerback Josh Norman, linebacker Ryan Kerrigan, and safety DJ Swearinger need to get a hold on their defense as early as possible. On the offensive side, the Redskins need Alex Smith to play at a $94 million level, which is highly doubtful at his age of 34.”

I think the Redskins will do a lot better than people expect, but I might be the most optimistic fan on campus. This team has the ability to turn heads quickly as they have done so before countless times.

Weekly Scoreboard

Women's soccer

Men's Soccer

Sep. 2 @ Elmira (W) UMW: 8 Elmira: 0

Field Hockey

Sep. 2 @ Johns Hopkins (L) UMW: 1 JHU: 3

Field Hockey

Sep. 5 @ Wesleyan (Va.) (W) UMW: 4 Wesleyan: 0

Sep. 8 vs. Franklin & Marshall TBD

women's Volleyball

women's Volleyball

Sep. 4 vs. Randolph-Macon (W) UMW: 3 RM: 2

Sep. 7 @ McDaniel TBD

Men's Soccer

Sep. 8 @ Johns Hopkins TBD

Woman's Soccer

Sep. 8 @ Huntingdon TBD

3

VIEWPOINTS

Students conflicted about use of plastic on campus

JOSEPH KOBSAR Staff Writer

Could excessive use of man-made materials come back to harm us? The world is quickly becoming careless with the use of plastic. Day-to-day we see pieces of litter along the freeway, plastic bottles and lighters washed up on the beach, even cigarette butts - that indeed contain plastic - scattered along the walkways of our campus at Mary Washington. Humans are creatures of habit and these habits are detrimental to our health and the health of our planet, and UMW should be stepping up to promote a true eco-friendly campus.

When walking around campus, there is an evident lack of recycling trash cans and the continual free use of plastic straws and utensils, to-go containers and plastic bags all over campus.

According to an article from OceanCrusaders. org, shoppers worldwide are using 500 billion single-use plastic bags per year and there are believed to be 46,000 individual pieces of plastic in every square mile of ocean. The oceans cover 71 percent of the Earth’s surface and contain 97 percent of the Earth’s water.

“It bothers me that we still use

them. Universities are supposed to be progressive. We are full of smart people, we should know the repercussions and do something about it,” said freshman Olivia Bernsley.

The internet is flooded with hundreds of videos depicting gruesome scenes of humans having to pull plastic utensils out of the nostrils of sea turtles or even the decomposing corpses of albatross filled with hundreds of pieces of multi-colored plastic. These pictures raising awareness that if there is no action taken against the misuse of plastic products, there will be a Utensils in the UMW Bookstore. significant change in life and nature in the years to come. According to a Senior French and international affairs statistic from PlasticsEurope, plastics major Jalen Brown said, “I use [straws] production ramped up from 1.5 million because I always have and because it’s tons in 1950 to normal in society. It’s something I don’t approximately 322 think about very often at all even though million tons in I should, since it has environmental 2015. In 2015 global impacts, because we just throw them plastics production away instead of recycling. I’m perfectly grew by 3.4 percent capable of just drinking out of cups but compared to 2014. it’s just more convenient drinking from With it already something that hasn’t been touched being almost 2019, rather than straight from the glass.” that percentile has While convenience is a major factor already increased for most students, other students seemed drastically. to be concerned about the welfare of Growing up in today’s day and students with disabilities on campus. age of excessive use of resources, our Plastic utensils and straws should be generation and those younger than us readily available upon request for those develop poor environmental habits and who truly need them. Most restaurants truly do not recognize it until adulthood. use metal utensils that can be washed

“I use straws because I always have and because it’s normal in society.”

- Jalen Brown

Noah Strobel / The Blue & Gray Press

and reused with little to no waste or pollution. Is compensating the lessening of plastic use equivalent to the energy used to clean reusable utensils though?

Maria Dubiel, a senior majoring in French and international affairs, brought up a great point. “I think it’s complicated because if we took away all plastic utensils then what does that look like with the water and electricity usage for washing non-plastic utensils? How do you weigh that environmental problem?

For straws it’s more complicated because people who are differently abled may need them or depend on them.”

Let us hope that we can see some changes happening on campus so that we, as a university, can have a clean conscience and an environmentallyfriendly footprint.

Computer science is not just for the boys

BRIDGET DANVER Staff Writer

to feel comfortable in the learning environment, especially if the student is part of the minority. “I would add, a lot of women I think maybe discount computer science out of hand because of the geek stereotype,” said Dr. Ian Finlayson, chairperson of the Computer Science Department. He continued, “So I think programs that would show

There is an obvious discrepancy in the number of male to female students enrolled in computer science courses at UMW. As of Fall 2018, 74 percent of students that declared majors in computer science were male, and a mere 26 percent were female. In order to combat the gender gap, and prevent the field from continuing to be male dominated, the assumed solution is to extensively promote increasing the femme population. However, having a poor soul parade around Ball Circle chanting, “join computer science if you’re a girl” costumed as an iPhone will not solve the root of the issue.

There are several theories regarding why the average computer science classroom is loaded with testosterone.

Dr. Jessica Zeitz Self, assistant professor in the computer science department said, “A lot of people point to social media, and how social media portrays what computer science looks like and that is normally not portrayed as anything female-like.

In the 80s and 90s, there were video games coming out that were geared President Clare Arrington (left) and Vice President Anum towards males, and threw things for a Quarashi (right) of DiverCS Club. little bit. That’s not the exact reason, but there are many things that play [a a broader range of people, like what part to the discrepancy].” computer science is, so they can decide She also noted another factor could for themselves if they like it or not be women tend to be interested in the would be helpful too.” human side of concepts. Researchers Zeitz emphasized the importance of are bound to debate over the exact cause having a support system for students and of the imbalance, but one thing is for the steps UMW has taken to encourage certain: UMW is not the cause of the more participation. She mentioned imbalance, it is an effect. the DiverCS group, the latest club on Faculty recognize students need campus devoted towards diversity in

computer science.

“The whole reason they are trying to get started is to try to have a support group of, ‘Hey, there are other people like me in this department. And it’s okay I feel different because there are others that are there like me,’” said Zeitz.

Introductory courses demonstrate the gap to be much more slim compared to

percent to be female.

Sophomore Pratima Kandel, a passionate computer science major, offered insight from a student perspective.

“If you take an introductory class, that means you like it and had some interest in learning about it, why would you take it in the first place? Obviously things will get more challenging the more you advance and learn about harder things. Just don’t give up.”

Kandel continued to explain the importance of women in the field, and mentioned the lack of female role models in the programing industry.

“Give [computer science] a chance, and don’t ever compare yourself,” Kandel said. “Because I have seen girls come to computer science classes who know so much but they would say, ‘I don’t know much. I just know a little.’ But guys who don’t know anything [about the topic] would say, ‘I got this.

This is my thing.’ If you’re stuck, go to professors, get friends to help, just do something to help yourself.”

UMW’s core principles are Kelley Barron / The Blue & Gray Press diversity and inclusion. Students that are uncertain about pursuing upper level courses. Out of the students a career in the computer science field, enrolled in CPSC 110: Introduction to even people with a slight interest in Computer Science for the fall semester, the area that are starting their journey 60 percent were male and 40 percent here at UMW, should be aware there were female. Further statistics from Dr. are support systems ready to help guide Finlayson evaluated the consecutive them. Whether in the computer science course, CPSC 220: Computer department, or any other field, students Programming and Problem Solving, to must be aware the only obstacles start widening the gap, with 79 percent stopping them from achieving their goals enrolled in the course to be male, and 21 are their own doubts.

Thursday,January September 2018 Thursday, 21, 6, 2015

VIEWPOINTS

Editor: Grace Winfield | blueandgray.views@gmail.com

Local eateries should be integrated into campus

MOLLY AVERY Staff Writer

NATHANIEL MOXLEY Staff Writer

While there are many complaints about food here on campus, there seems to be little to no effort being made to remedy the issue. UMW should accommodate a more open and representative approach to allowing the members of a very small community to experience what makes Fredericksburg the gem that it is. That of course, all boils down to the food by introducing local cuisine into campus dining.

Out of thirty students I asked at Mary Washington, not one could say that the food on campus was anything above subpar without referencing chain restaurants such as Qdoba or Jamba Juice. The saving grace of the campus was unanimously chosen to be Blackstone Coffee - and with good reason. Having originated here in Fredericksburg, the locally owned and operated coffee shop serves as a shining example of what could be on UMW’s campus to help students indulge in local life. Local junior Sylvan Brier expressed her dismay with the lack of options here.

“There should be a way where students who are both new and returning are able to experience all the great food that is available downtown without having to spend their entire lunch break walking in the heat or cold just to spend money that they don’t have on food that actually tastes good,” said Brier.

Sophomore Max Shultz said that it was time for the newly built UC to be “gutted and changed.”

“You can choose between a 1000 calorie bowl of mexican food from Qdoba or you can have some 4 hour stale sandwiches from Jamba. Otherwise, you can head upstairs to stand in the same line every single day to get the same food that never tastes any better,” said Shultz.

“Just take a section out and allow different restaurants from downtown to come to that gutted section of the UC and present their dishes to the students in exchange for their swipes. Not only will the students be able to try the great food that Fredericksburg is well known for, but the restaurants themselves will benefit too. Getting their name out there to the students who have never heard of them before opens a two way street,”

Zanab Farooq / The Blue & Gray Press

Chef Louise pictured with new sushi selling over 200 rolls a day to students.

said Schultz.

Student Jacob Dahl said that he is frustrated with the lack of healthy options and that he wished the university would offer a reliable spot for students to receive healthy meals.

“The only option we have is the market down by Blackstone but that place closes on the weekends. How can I eat healthy on my break days without having to travel somewhere on my few days off?” said Dahl.

Surprisingly enough, other students walking by heard the ongoing interview and decided to weigh in their opinion.

When Dahl suggested the idea of having a food festival, a student walking by almost exploded in excitement at the idea.

“All the best places from downtown could come and sample off a couple of their best dishes.”

Students should either be allowed to spend their flex or EagleOne at a majority of the hot spots downtown, or those hot spots should have a limited pop-up run on campus every week. It isn’t hard to set something up that is mutually beneficial to all parties, especially when it involves a tight-knit community such as Fredericksburg and the students of UMW.

Staff Ed: New school year brings positive change

By THE BLUE AND GRAY PRESS EDITORIAL BOARD As the fall semester begins, many changes are being introduced to the UMW campus. From the multitude of construction projects occuring on campus, to the new sushi resturant and the ASPIRE community values acronym, the majority of changes seem to be for the betterment of the school.

With so many new developments, we at the Blue and Gray Press believe providing students with a news source and expressive outlet that is catered to their interests is more important than ever. With that in mind, we are excited to work on increasing our online presence

Students demand American Sign Language courses

and continuing to archive old articles and reintroduce videos, while maintaining our print edition.

This year, we have a larger -and mostly new- staff, that are involved in a variety of departments and clubs on campus. We believe this will be beneficial in insuring that we represent all UMW communities and aspects of student life in our coverage. With that in mind, we welcome constructive feedback and suggestions from the UMW community.

We also invite students to contact us if they would like to write articles or letters to the editor.

For years, many students at Mary Washington have been at odds with the Department of Modern Languages and Literature. One recurring reason is that American Sign Language class offerings have been requested by students for years. Students have spoken out about their desire for ASL classes, whether through through social media or directly to the department head. Despite student efforts, ASL continues to not be offered at Mary Washington.

The university must add ASL classes to the language department. By not doing so, they’re denying us an expansive education, and implying that learning ASL doesn’t matter. Many students have complained about the language requirement, saying that it feels almost impossible to complete. Many students would prefer to take ASL because they find it easier than written language.

“Having the classes on campus would be much easier,” said sophomore Brianna Croye, who plans to enroll in ASL classes at Germanna to fulfill the language requirement.

In an attempt to help students who are interested about learning ASL, the club “Talk To The Hands” was formed.

was not transferable, but now through Germanna, students can take ASL classes and transfer their credits to UMW. Although many argue that this is a viable solution, there are many disadvantages to this system.

Germanna’s campus is about a half hour drive from Mary Washington, and not all students have access to a car.

Aside from transportation, having to go to Germanna to take ASL is more expensive. Junior Katie Hartraft is one of the students that makes the commute to Germanna. Hartraft cannot receive financial aid from the community college since she is only taking one class there a semester. Already dealing with a financial disadvantage, she said that it was about $500 per class at Germanna and that the textbooks were $100 a book. With four classes needed for the requirement, the overall costs come to approximately $2,000.

People may refute that by saying the way to avoid the hassle of travelling and paying for ASL lessons is by taking them online, but many have been attempting that for years.

“A teacher helps so much more.

Online, I learned lots of vocab, but

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures.

Anyone with any level of expertise is welcomed to come to their meetings, and learn sign language throughout the year.

Former president of the club and current graduate student Lesya Melnychenko said that in the club, “by the end of the year, we’ve covered maybe 40% of what ASL 100 would go over.”

The club can only meet so often, and can’t compete with the priority of accredited courses that members and interested students are already taking. Melnychenko said that despite their best efforts to teach, they cannot perform the functions of a 3-credit class.

Due to the fact that there is a club, people may feel as if ASL classes are not needed on campus, since students are prompted to go to Germanna Community College for lessons. For many years ASL

Noah Strobel / The Blue & Gray Press

didn’t know how to properly use it,” said Hartraft, who previously learned some sign language online.

The university needs to listen to their students when they are begging for ASL classes, because despite all the benefits that would come with providing ASL courses, Mary Washington continues to ignore their pleas by not providing them. This is ableism, and flies in the face of the diversity that Mary Washington prides itself in having. All the university is doing by not adding ASL classes is showing how insensitive they are to student requests. Sign language is on the rise, and will eventually have to be provided by the university.

“ASL is a true language, with its own culture, history, and grammar. The demand is there, the University just has to listen,” said Melnychenko.

“Having the classes on campus would be much easier.”

-BRIANNA CROYE

5

LIFE

Editor: Lucas Burkholder blueandgray.life@gmail.com

Eagle Gathering ceremony welcomes incoming students to UMW

ElLIZABETH FINTO Staff Writer

Eagle Gathering is one of the most prominent UMW traditions during which the new incoming class is initiated into the Mary Washington community. The night before classes start, upperclassmen, faculty and staff gather on Ball Circle with lit candles as they wait to hear the sound of bagpipes. Once the bagpipes begin to play, the incoming class begins to walk down Campus Walk.

This year on August 26, the incoming class slowly made their way onto Ball Circle with their own unlit candles as bagpipes continued to play. The upperclassmen, faculty and staff stood in a circle with their candles glowing.

President Paino took the time to address the crowd about how the UMW community is so excited to welcome the newest class into the UMW family.

Once given the signal, everyone came together to fill any gaps in the circle. Upperclassmen began to spread their light to the freshmen. Finally, as one community, everyone began to sing the Alma Mater, and once everyone sangs the words “So here’s to Mary

New and returning students assemble for Eagle Gathering.

Washington; Our love will never die,” everyone raised their lit candles to the sky.

Freshmen Ariel Arison and Lauren Westendorf explained their first Eagle

New students follow the bagpipes towards Ball Circle.

@MaryWash / Twitter

Gathering experience as a not only a unique experience but also a bonding experience. Arison and Westendorf explained that when they first walked onto Ball Circle that August night, they were very excited to finally be Eagles but they were surprised to see so many people there to support them in their new journey through college.

“It is something I will never forget,” said Westendorf.

As the light from the candles began to spread, for Arison and Westendorf, there was something particularly special about sharing and receiving their own light from the new friends they had already made and from upperclassmen who they hadn’t met yet. In that moment, it did not matter who was a freshman or who was a senior.

College is a different experience for everyone, and for senior Hannah Backe, it has been a very memorable few years.

She attended her fourth Eagle Gathering this year and she said that this year it felt particularly bittersweet. Eagle

Shelly Keith / UMW

Gathering takes place right in front of where everything started for her freshman year as a resident of Virginia Hall. She remembers back to her first Eagle Gathering and about hearing the bagpipes begin to play and being told the next time she would hear those bagpipes would be on graduation day. She remembers holding her unlit candle and being surrounded by the upperclassmen whose candles were already lit and then having a strong feeling of belonging.

“I knew I was going to be okay these next four years and this was going to be my home,” said Backe.

This year, Backe stood on Ball Circle with her candle and holder that said “University of Mary Washington Eagle Gathering 2018, Class of 2019.” This signified the beginning of the end of her journey at UMW. Not only was this a bittersweet experience, but also she felt a sense of comfort knowing that the incoming freshmen would be able to call UMW their home for the next four years like she did three years ago.

Plugged In Playlist: Back to School Jams 1. “ABC” by The Jackson 5

11. “Feels like Summer” by Weezer

submitted by Lucas Burkholder, Life Editor

submitted by Cayley McGuire, Photo Editor

submitted by Lucas Burkholder, Life Editor

submitted by Cayley McGuire, Photo Editor

submitted by Harry Fisher, Online Editor

submitted by Ryan Brauch, Managing Editor

submitted by Harry Fisher, Online Editor

submitted by Ryan Brauch, Managing Editor

submitted by Lauren Closs, Editor-in-Chief

submitted by Grace Winfield, Viewpoints Editor

submitted by Lauren Closs, Editor-in-Chief

submitted Grace Winfield, Viewpoints Editor

submitted by Kate Seltzer, News Editor

submitted by Jack Hagn, Sports Editor

submitted by Kate Seltzer, News Editor

submitted by Jack Hagn, Sports Editor

submitted by Ginny Bixby, Associate Editor

submitted by Ronic Ngambwe, Online Editor

submitted by Ginny Bixby, Associate Editor

submitted by Ronic Nqambwe, Online Editor

2. “Rock ‘N’ Roll High School” by Ramones 3. “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor

4. “Whatever It Takes” by Imagine Dragons 5. “Tears on My Pillow” by Sha Na Na 6. “Running on Sunshine” by Jesus Jackson 7. “Back to Black” by Amy Winehouse 8. “Zum Zum” by Daddy Yankee

9. “Canned Heat” by Jamiroquai

10. “We Won’t” by Phoebue Ryan & Jaymes Young

12. “Waste a Moment” by Kings of Leon 13. “CANTU” by Amine 14. “Moment” by Kyle

15. “Wake Me Up When September Ends” by Green Day 16. “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire 17. “Beach Boy” by Amine

18. “Freaks and Geeks” by Childish Gambino 19. “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten 20. “Growing Pains” by Alessia Cara

Thursday, September 6, 2018

LIFE

Over 120 clubs highlighted at annual Club Carnival

Maggie McCotter Staff Writer

Folding tables filled Ball Circle all morning and into the afternoon, and an anticipatory feeling draped itself around campus as hundreds of students began to gather at one of the University of Mary Washington’s most popular events, Club Carnival.

Walking down the rows filled with sweaty, but smiling, faces creates a sense of community that is found seldom elsewhere on larger school campuses. Familiar faces pass by and interesting clubs are lined up one after the other. Free swag is eagerly handed out and many students sign up for clubs they never dreamed of back in their hometown.

Over 120 clubs, organizations and departments fill Ball Circle only twice a year, and it is an amazing sight to behold. From Rowing Club to Astronomy Club, there is something for every UMW student. Even if there is not a club that is interesting to you, forming one is just as easy. The student need only gather at least five other interested students, fill out a form from Student Activities and Engagement and create a constitution on how the club will be run.

A variety of students run the booths, as well as attend the Carnival.

Emily Richardson, a senior majoring in geology, is part of the Club Swim Team. She is on the executive board and decided to represent her club because “it’s good to have all of us be

here.” Richardson said that when she was a freshman, she went to Club Carnival because she “wanted to be involved and figure out what to do” on campus. The Club Swim table was very inviting and Richardson mentioned that they had a good retention rate and that there were more freshmen in the club.

The One Note Stand, an acapella group and reigning champions of the Night of the Singing Dead, was also very well represented at Club Carnival. Mackenzie Guenther, a senior majoring in biology, loves being a part of the One Note Stand because they are a “family group” and a “great representation of the UMW Club Swim members at Club Carnival. community,” mainly because of the “support they provide.” Guenther clubs and organizations. John Garvey, continues to come back to Club Carnival a sophomore intending to major in because when she was a freshman “it psychology, stated that he comes to Club was hard to meet new people” but she Carnival because of the “excitement was “able to find a group with the same of the fall semester beginning and passion [she] had.” Guenther believes to support friends in clubs.” Garvey that “being in that kind of group is an enthusiastically said that his favorite excellent tool of adjusting to campus club booth so far is “Young Life because life.” The One Note Stand has a single they have a prize wheel and they seem out on Spotify, called Give Love, and is like really genuine people.” singing in their fall concert on November Nick Petrillo, a senior geography 9. major, continues to come to Club On the other side of the booth, Carnival because he enjoys “seeing hundreds of students flock to Club everyone” and “seeing new faces.” His Carnival, strolling up and down the aisles, browsing different types of

UMW Historic Preservation Club

Cedric Rucker / Facebook

UMW Student Government Association

Cedric Rucker / Facebook

Cedric Rucker / Facebook

favorite club of the Carnival is “Frisbee because they have cool members.”

Even though it was a very hot and sweaty Club Carnival this year, hundreds of UMW students flocked to Ball Circle to find their current friends and make new ones by joining many unique clubs that only Mary Washington can offer. If the good attendance in spite of the heat is any indication, SAE did a great job of organizing and putting on another successful Club Carnival, a great kickoff to the 2018-2019 school year.

UMW Womens Club Soccer

Cedric Rucker / Facebook

UMW Red Cross Student Organization

Cedrie Rucker / Facebook

7

Weekend Events

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

• Museums as Viewing Machines: Work by Jeffrey Abt @Ridderhof Martin Gallery, all day • UMW Studio Art Faculty Exhibition @duPont Gallery, all day

• Student Leadership Summit Day 1 @ University Center, 5 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

• Museums as Viewing Machines: Work by Jeffrey Abt @Ridderhof Martin Gallery, ALL DAY • UMW Studio Art Faculty Exhibition @duPont Gallery, all day • First Friday History Trivia @ James Monroe Museum, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

• Student Leadership Summit Day 2 @ University Center, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• Lewis Falls Hike with Campus Recreation, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Museums as Viewing Machines: Work by Jeffrey Abt @Ridderhof Martin Gallery, all day • UMW Studio Art Faculty Exhibition @duPont Gallery, all day

@theBlueandGray

BlueandGrayPress

The Blue & Gray Press

LIFE

Cross-Cultural BBQ shows off UMW’s multicultural groups Ethan Blouch Staff Writer

waiting to meet more happy people” said Tatiana Aleman, co-president of The James Farmer Multicultural the Latino Student Association, while Center’s Cross-Cultural Barbecue was serving Brazilian Chicken Stroganoff to held on August 30, as one of many social a student. events held on campus to reach out to The goals of all of the clubs are new students. A number of tables were fairly similar in spirit- to celebrate set up in the Chandler Ballroom, where ethnic heritage and/or religious the various multicultural club executive traditions that are minorities on campus board members served food and gave through weekly meetings and various out information about their respective events throughout the semester. The organizations. The scents of various fried Latino Student Association has a salsa night, a film screening, a band foods filled the room, while Childish performance and a dance workshop Gambino’s “This is America” played scheduled in September alone. over the speakers. Most of the students In some cases, the clubs are were preoccupied with getting food, actively attempting to make changes though a few chose to play cornhole in Cedric Rucker / Facebook to the UMW curriculum and policies, Club members offer up refreshments. the corner. specifically the Black Student There was an enthusiasm haven’t had a chance to get together of inclusion where every member of Association (BSA) and Talk to the and energy present among the club as of yet, they are only able to give the campus community feels welcome Hands, the American Sign Language representatives. outlines for their semester plans right and respected at UMW,” said Dr. Maria club on campus. Some members of the “We’re a bunch of happy people now: weekly meetings, fundraising Sanford, the Director of the JFMC. BSA are worried that the school as opportunities, events such as Muslim a whole exploits minority students Student Association (MSA) week in order to gain attention and and Gender and Sexual Minorities cultivate a positive image. They and Allies (GSMA) week and other believe that real social change events to promote cultural awareness. and diversity on campus is not A common sentiment shared among very developed, and hope to bring presidents of these clubs is that they this change about by educating want everyone to feel welcome to join, students on black history. even if their identity might make them Talk to the Hands wants seem exclusive.

UMW to offer ASL as an option The barbecue is organized by the for the language requirement, said James Farmer Multicultural Center. president Melissa Pampel.

Named after former UMW professor “As a club we believe that and civil rights activist James Farmer, language transcends verbal this group is responsible for organizing communication,” said Pampel. most of the events on campus She also mentioned past activities concerning ethnicity and culture. of the club, such as trips to “This event represents how we Gallaudet University, a private celebrate and show appreciation for the university for the deaf and hard of different cultures and heritages we all hearing. bring to campus. It is an opportunity As most of these groups for us to embrace the spirit and value Students enjoy the event.Cedric Rucker / Facebook Students hand out dinner.

Cedric Rucker / Facebook

Students celebrate first week of classes at First Friday Elisabeth DellaRova Staff Writer

“This is a culmination of the whole first week,” said Rebecca Jacobi, the chair of Big Events for UMW’s Campus Programming Board (CPB), on the first Friday afternoon of the semester.

Outside on Ball Circle, a crew of volunteers, vendors and ride operators were setting up for CPB’s First Friday event. The event occurs on the first Friday of classes every fall and spring (in spring, it is held indoors in the Chandler Ballroom). The event welcomes back students and celebrates the end of the first week of classes and the beginning of a new semester.

First Friday had an amusement park theme this year.

“This is the first year we’ve had mechanical rides,” said Jacobi.

There was a teacup ride and swings, as well as a giant inflatable obstacle course with a slide, all of which were manned by employees of the ride rental company. Jacobi also recruited about 30 student volunteers to run the event.The event was held from 5-8 p.m., covering all of Ball Circle with rides and food stands. On one side of Ball Circle, there was a snack tent serving cotton candy and snow cones. Beside it was a funnel cake truck. There was a long line of students waiting to have their caricature drawn by an artist. The spinning swing and teacup rides delighted students.

“The event is a way to show off CPB, especially to freshmen,” said Jacobi.

CPB is a club that puts on small and large events for the campus community.

It is organized into four cabinets: Big Events, Reel Deals, Productions and

Students enjoy First Friday activities on Ball Circle.

CPB members enjoys First Friday.

Trips. Anyone can join CPB and assist in any of these areas. After some time as a general member, they can take on a bigger role, like Jacobi’s Chair of Big Events role.

Jacobi is a junior international affairs and women’s and gender studies double major.

She has been involved with CPB since her freshman year. This is her first event as Big Events Chair.

“This has been a good learning experience,” said Jacobi.

She started planning UMW Campus Programming Board

UMW Campus Programming Board

the event in April. All summer, she was calling vendors, creating a budget, receiving invoices and sending emails.

Jacobi said that she hoped that everyone who came enjoyed the event.

She explained that First Friday creates an opportunity for freshmen to do something fun with their new friends on campus while they’re adjusting to being at college.

“And for many upperclassmen, it’s a tradition,” she said.

As the sun went down and students slowly trickled away from Ball Circle, still holding the remains of their cotton candy or snow cones, there was a feeling of excitement and anticipation for what the new semester would bring.

9

NEWS

POLICE BEAT

POLICE BEAT

MEAGHAN MCINTYRE & KATE SELTZER News Editors

MEAGHAN MCINTYRE & KATE SELTZER News Editors

Petit Larceny

Statutory Rape On Friday, July 13 between 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., a student was raped in Virginia Hall. This case is pending.

Possession

On Thursday, August 23 at 12:59 a.m., there was an incident of underage alcohol possession outside of Mason Hall. One administrative referral was issued.

On Saturday, August 25 at 1:37 a.m., there was an incident of underage alcohol possession in Marshall Hall.

One administrative referral was issued.

On Saturday, August 25 at 10:52 p.m., there was an incident of marijuana possession at Eagle Landing.

Two administrative referrals were issued.

On Friday, August 31 at 1:40 a.m., there was an incident of underage alcohol possession in Marshall Hall. One administrative referral was issued.

Grand Larceny On Friday, August 24 between 9:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., grand larceny of a cell phone occured at the University Center. The phone was recovered the next day.

10

Photo courtesy of UMW Police Chief Michael Hall For the first time in history, the UMW Police Department was accredited by the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission.

UMW Police Department receives prestigious accreditation HANNAH GALEONE Staff Writer

After eighteen months of hard work, organization and dedication to the field, the University of Mary Washington Police Department was rewarded for their efforts.

In early July 2018, the University’s Police Department received a letter telling them they would be the 100th agency in the Commonwealth to become accredited by the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC). According to the Bureau of Justice Services, there are 340 agencies within the state, only 29 percent of which are accredited -- the UMW Police Department falling into that percentile.

This is the first time in UMW’s history that the campus police department has become accredited, according to a release posted to EagleEye. “[Becoming accredited] recognizes you as a professional law enforcement agency,” said UMW accreditation manager Lieutenant Bill Gill. “[This is] a huge accomplishment that goes to the commitment of the whole department,” UMW Police Chief Michael Hall said in the release posted on EagleEye. In order to become an accredited agency, the University’s Police Department must comply with all standards set by the VLEPSC. These standards are compartmentalized into five main categories that the VLEPSC accounts for in their accreditation analysis. The categories considered are administrative, investigation, patrol, evidence and training. Within these five categories, there are 192 standards --broken into 600 subsets -- that must be met.

Additionally, every member of the UMW Police Department undergoes rigorous training, ranging from sexual assault training, weapons handling, and lost property and evidence collection.

The training is another aspect of an agency that is assessed by the VLEPSC before accreditation.

“We did this in about eighteen months,” said Lieutenant Gill. “We went from having around 30 procedures in our manual to approximately 100.

We had to have all of our policies and procedures in place before we could start the assessment process.”

During the accreditation process, the UMW Police Department became the fifth university agency to become accredited. The accreditation speaks to the transparency of the agency as well as the agency’s dedication to the fields of safety and security. “[The accreditation] validates what we say we’re doing,” said Chief Hall.

“We’re stepping up to be compared to our counterparts. It’s total different law enforcement than traditional law enforcement but we want to be held to the same standards and accountability that those other 99 agencies in Virginia are,” said Chief Hall. “[Becoming accredited] recognizes you as a professional law enforcement agency,” said Lieutenant Gill.

As the supervisor of accreditation, Lieutenant Gill strives to maintain all policies and procedures as closely as possible. The [accreditation] process is a continuous cycle, and for the UMW Police Department to hold their accreditation they must continue to comply with all standards set by the VLEPSC. “My goal is, in 4 years, to have 100 percent compliance to the policies,” said Lieutenant Gill.

“We want to build this department to be the best that it can be,” said Chief Hall. “[The accreditation] gives us the ability to be profitable in what we do, from a professional standpoint.”

University President Troy Paino expressed his pride toward the UMW Police Department.

“I’m very proud [of them]. I think it shows a major commitment from our police and our police chief,” said President Paino. “[The UMW PD] protect me and my family. I live on campus, Brompton is part of our property.”

President Paino expressed his understanding that, as prospective students and parents research universities, safety is one of the key characteristics of campus life that is taken into account.

“My chief concern is the safety and well being of our students. To know that [the UMW PD] have gotten through that process and to know that they’ve been deemed of the quality is very important to me,” added President Paino.

The University Police Department’s next VLEPSC accreditation assessment will be in September 2022.

On Saturday, August 25 between 10:15 p.m. and 10:35 p.m., a petit larceny of a study desk occurred at Eagle Landing.

The desk was recovered the next day.

On Saturday, September 1 between 11:00 p.m. and 11:05 p.m., a petit larceny of UMW banners on College Avenue occurred. The banners were recovered, and one Honor Council referral was issued.

Vandalism On Thursday, August 30 at 9:39 a.m., a door was vandalized in the Cobblestone apartments.

This investigation is pending.

Between Monday, August 6, and Saturday, August 11, a door Between was vandalized in Building Monday, Au1 of the UMW Apartments. gust 6, and Saturday, This case 11, is pending.

August a door was vandalized in Building 1 of the UMW Apartments.

This case is pending.

On Friday, August 31 at 11:15 p.m., a fire extinguisher in Virginia Hall was vandalized.

This case is pending.

Indecent Exposure

On Saturday, September 1 at 11:18 p.m., an incident of indecent exposure and underage alcohol possession occurred on College Avenue.

One administrative referral was given.

Thursday, September 6, 2018

NEWS

Students respond to remarks made in Paino’s address about residence halls and new statement of community values

•ALL UMW ASSEMBLY | 1 clubs.”

Other students feel that the new community values do not line up with the behavior that they see on campus.

Junior communications and digital studies major Jennifer Hill feels that one area where the university could improve is with institution integrity.

“I actually laughed when President Paino shared the new community principles and said that it included ‘institutional integrity’,” said Hill.

“Personally, I feel like institutional integrity has not been upheld recently at University of Mary Washington.”

Hill went on to cite the way in which Residence Life handled the displacement of students after Alvey and Arrington were shut down during the summer as a driving factor for her opinion.

“Integrity to me means honesty and moral uprightness, which is the antithesis of what Residence Life has been doing recently,” said Hill. “The lack of transparency with displaced students has damaged Residence

Life’s credibility on campus amongst the students. How can students trust a system that has been so ambiguous and evasive to their concerns.”

“In order to restore their credibility and institutional integrity, Residence Life and the University at large need to strive for honesty and better communication with students,” said Hill.

The All UMW Assembly also addressed the unexpected closure of Alvey and Arrington over the summer, which Paino said was an unfortunate result of “deferred maintenance.”

“This has put a tremendous strain on our campus and those who work certainly in Residence Life, but also in Facilities,” said Paino.

The closure of these two residence halls increased the tally of uninhabitable residences on campus up to three. The first to be closed was Willard, which had experienced a steam pipe burst in the summer of 2017. While the unforeseen closures of the dorms induced stress for students and staff alike, Paino identified the silver lining in the situation.

“The silver lining in losing these residence halls is that it is fast forwarding the process of addressing the problems, and so we are going to have to deal with these residence halls in some cases very rapidly and in succession,” said Paino.

He went on to declare his pride for how the university handled the situation.

“To me, probably the most gratifying part of this whole process is to see how this university came together,” said Paino. “Talk about UMW / Youtube something that took

“Here at Mary Washington, I want to promote a liberal arts education that is active in the world.”

-President Troy Paino

The ASPIRE acronym is key to the community values.

President Paino addressed various topics during his All UMW Assembly.

Thursday, September 6, 2018

collective effort. Just about every part of this campus was touched in some way by this situation of three residence halls closing in the last two summers.”

Students were left with mixed emotions on how the university has dealt with the upkeep of residence halls and in how Residence Life handled communicating with students over the summer.

“They handled it, but in the time it took, they didn’t give enough information out,” said junior business major Sean Silke. “They said they were going to be relocating students, but the worry of where hung in students minds. If the UMW Relations university had provided a President Paino is Mary Washington’s tenth president. list of possible areas they “I appreciate his honesty and might get placed, students transparency on this topic because would have had an easier time to plan it establishes a sense of trust and accordingly.” reliability between President Paino and Junior psychology major Miranda the students here at Mary Washington,” Batte-Futrell initially felt stressed said Batte-Futrell. over the announcement of Arrington’s The end of Paino’s All UMW closure, but was comforted by the Assembly was focused on the responsiveness of Residence Life. importance of a liberal arts education.

“Upon first being notified of the “Here at Mary Washington, I want renovations in Arrington Hall, I to promote a liberal arts education that experienced a great amount of panic is active in the world,” said Paino. and anxiety due to the uncertainty “One that is responding to the issues of of my roommate group remaining our day. That’s preparing young people together and having to reconfigure to go out and be civic agents to affect move-in plans for the fall,” said Battechange.”

Futrell. “This anxiety was short-lived, Paino explained how he feels there however, as residence life was quick is “a core to provide principle of us with “I do feel that my our public information arts and proved experiences here at UMW have liberal mission to be both given me a sense of confidence that I think helpful and oftentimes timely in and empowerment.” gets lost and answering is increasingly any getting lost questions -Jennifer Hill in the public about the discourse relocation.” around the In purpose of education in our country. hearing how Paino admitted that the And that is for me, civic agency.” closure of the residence halls was due Many students expressed feeling as to “deferred maintenance,” students if the opportunities offered to them by expressed respect for his openness Mary Washington have given them a about the situation. way to grow as individuals.

“I do feel that my experiences here at UMW have given me a sense of confidence and empowerment,” said Hill. “UMW has a very active campus where everyone has a passion that they are involved with. Through my involvement in class and cocurriculars, I have a better sense of my ability to have my voice heard.”

Mary Hoffman, a junior environmental science major, feels that UMW has helped her develop skills that will benefit her as she continues her education and when she starts her career.

“I feel that Mary Washington has both empowered and given me the confidence that will serve me well as I continue forward in my academic career and beyond.”

Photo courtesy of the UMW Relations.

11

SPORTS

Editor: Jack Hagn | blueandgray.sports@gmail.com

Q&A with the new athletic director Patrick Catullo

SAVANNAH BOYD Staff Writer

Patrick Catullo has been the Head Women’s Tennis Coach for 14 seasons, with a 253-94 record. His teams have dominated the Capital Athletic Conference and advanced to more NCAA Championships than all but one school in all of NCAA Division III. After serving as the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance for six years, Coach Catullo has been promoted to Interim Athletic Director. This week Coach Catullo was interviewed so UMW students could learn more about him and his role on campus.

Q: Can you describe your journey at UMW? A: “My experience at Mary Washington has been unique, in that I started as a student-athlete on the men’s tennis team, class of ’95 and then came back to serve as the Head Women’s Tennis Coach in 2004. Recently, I had the honor of being asked to step into the role of Interim Athletic Director.

I feel fortunate that I am able to contribute as an administrator to my alma mater, a place where I had an excellent student-athlete experience.

My time at Mary Washington in these various roles has helped shape my current focus for the department. I believe student athletes should focus on four areas; strong academics, being a competitive athlete, integrating into the

Patrick Catullo

UMW Athletics

campus community and having a strong community engagement.”

Q: How do you balance your duties of Head Women’s Tennis Coach and Interim Athletic Director?

A: “I am grateful that my long-time Asst. Coach, Art Canizares, has agreed to serve as the Interim Head Women’s Tennis Coach and will be handling the scheduling, recruiting, and day to day operations of the program so that I can focus on all 27 athletic teams.”

Q: Are there any changes you would like to implement this year?

A: “There are changes that have and will be implemented this year, as we continue to make the athletic department an active contributing partner within our campus community

as well as the local community. Some of the changes focus on streamlining our policy and procedures in order to continue to enhance relationships within the department and across campus which will benefit the faculty, staff and students. Our department will continue to make strategic decisions on what changes need to be made driven by the following; will this change enhance the student-athlete experience, will it integrate our department across campus, and does it support the overall vision of the university.”

Q: Why should prospective student athletes choose UMW to continue their athletic and academic careers?

A: “Prospective student athletes should choose UMW because we offer a great combination of academics and commitment to athletics. We have a beautiful campus, exceptional faculty, excellent faculty to student ratio, top tier facilities, great support for the athletic teams and an impressive history of success.”

Q: Is there an athletic department from another school that you try to resemble or share ideas with?

A: “I have always been very involved in serving on committees that include administrators and coaches from other Division III institutions and will continue to look for opportunities to be involved.

I think it is very important to stay current on trends in athletics, and be open to

idea sharing. Of course, I think we have one of the strongest programs and I am very proud of our amazing coaches and players but continue to network as we are always reevaluating and looking for opportunities to improve the studentathlete experience.”

Q: What is your favorite part about your new role as Interim Athletic Director?

A: “My favorite part in working in collegiate athletics is and has always been being a part of the student-athlete experience. I enjoy mentoring our student-athletes and following their journey through their time here. My goal is to provide a positive experience while they are students at UMW and that they continue to build on those experiences as alumni. I also really enjoy working with our talented coaches of all 27 teams.

Our coaches are extremely committed and work hard each day to support the student-athletes and build competitive programs.”

Q: What do you hope to accomplish as UMW’s Athletic Director?

A: “As a department we continue to focus on recruiting and retaining academic, athletic, and diverse students that are successful in the classroom and can compete in a strong Division III athletic program. My goal is to support our teams and our coaches as they strive to achieve competitive excellence in conference and post season play.”

Strength and conditioning coach brings new focus

RACHEL COOPER Staff Writer

As the athletic department at the University of Mary Washington undergoes changes in administrative and coaching staff, there are many new faces in Goolrick, Anderson, and the Battleground. One of the new members of the athletic faculty is not found on the field or court coaching or in an upstairs office organizing game schedules.

Brett Longobucco, the new Director of Strength and Conditioning at UMW, can be found in the weight room in the basement of Goolrick working behind the scenes to train UMW athletes.

Longobucco has already begun training some of the fall sports teams and he is looking forward to working with other teams as they prepare to start their seasons and training.

“I think it was pretty evident right when I came here that they [UMW] put a lot of emphasis on the student athlete experience and I think they give the student athletes a ton of resources between staff and facilities and fields and pretty much everything you could want to be successful in your craft and your sport. As well as be successful as an individual and grow as a person” said Longobucco.

So what will change for athletes with the new strength and conditioning program under Longobucco?

“In terms of change, I just want to give student athletes consistency. I think that’s something that they deserve.

I’ve heard that a lot, that they’ve gone through 3 or 4 people” said Longobucco.

Ashley Barrow, a member of the UMW women’s tennis team for five years and now the UMW women’s tennis assistant coach, said that she had six strength and conditioning coaches in

Thursday, September 6, 2018

her five years at UMW. Kevin France, a senior on the UMW men’s baseball team has had three coaches over the last three years. Josh Duke, a sophomore on the UMW men’s swim team, switched trainers three times in his freshman year alone. There has been a lack of consistency in strength and conditioning coaches at UMW for many years.

“The toughest thing that I went through as a student-athlete was the amount of strength and conditioning coaches we went through in my 5 years.

I know that it would be tough to change that but in my opinion that is the main thing that needs to change because it’s just so difficult for the student-athletes to adapt to all the different philosophies of each strength and conditioning coach” said Barrow.

“We had to start from square one 3 times last year since each coach had to figure out what we could handle” said Duke.

Having had so many strength and conditioning coaches over the years, France and Barrow had similar opinions about the programs that they both believe was of the most benefit to them and their teammates.

Barrow believes George Greene (the Director of Strength and Conditioning at UMW from 2014-2016) had a great program because he knew that each sport was different and that workouts and lifting needed to cater to the types of workouts that different athletes needed to make them better at their individual sport. And France liked Greene’s program for the way he taught their individual teams to use weights to improve strength.

“He wasn’t making every sport do the same lifting program. He knew what each athlete needed in order to make them stronger in their sport” said

Brett Longobucco

UMW Athletics

Barrow.

France also liked Jack Anderson (UMW Director of Strength and Conditioning 2017-2018) and his attention to their individual sports and how he stressed stability and flexibility for their teams.

Longobucco expressed the same ideas about a need for sport specific workouts when it comes to strength and conditioning.

“My philosophy is we’re training you guys to be whatever sport you play. We’re not training you to be weightlifters. We’re not training you to be powerlifters. We’re training you to be a tennis player or a soccer player…

Everything we do down here needs to have a purpose when we take it to the field” said Longobucco.

“Baseball needs focus on mobility and joint stability, particularly for the upper body extremities. This purpose is specific strength, but also a ton of injury prevention” said France.

For swimming, strength and conditioning should be “to gain lean, not bulky muscles that give us more power in the pool. The purpose is to become a

more efficient swimmer” said Duke.

Longobucco has ideas to create specific workouts for sports teams including some new equipment such as hurdles for rebound jumps and softer boxes to encourage explosive first movements. He would also like to incorporate olympic lifting which takes more time to teach but it applicable to athletes no matter what their competition is.

On the other end, Longobucco has expectations for his athletes.

“I expect hard work. I expect punctuality. I expect accountability. And I expect them to hold me to the same standard that I’m holding them. So like I said I want whatever’s going on in their life, I know there’s hundreds of other things on their mind as a student athlete, but when we cross through these doors, I expect everybody to get to work and really block out whatever else is going on and really focus on how can we get our team closer to our goals” said Longobucco.

If there was anything else athletes could change about strength and conditioning at UMW? “I think having an assessment during the first lift to see where everyone is at instead of teaching the whole team how to lift at the beginning of the season.

Maybe let the upperclassmen have some freedom so we don’t have to move backwards from where we are while the freshman get a chance to learn” said Duke.

“I think having more open hours at potentially late hours would be fantastic, however I realize that the campus gym has those hours” said France.

Best of luck to the UMW sports teams competing this fall and to Longobucco as he begins his position training UMW athletes.

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