THE
BLUE &GRAY
PRESS
October 4, 2018
VOLUME 92 | ISSUE 5
1922 Sexual battery incident near campus causes alarm
THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER
Hannah Galeone Senior Writer
On Friday, Sept. 28, an email was sent out to the University of Mary Washington community. The subject line of the email read “Campus Crime Alert.” This email was sent out to alert students, faculty and staff about a sexual battery that occurred on Sept. 22, in the 1700 block of Sunken Road. The sexual battery happened between midnight and 3 a.m. The student who was sexually battered made a report to a Residence Assistant. The Residence Assistant then contacted the University Police so a formal investigation could begin. “The safety and well being of the victim [are most important to the UMW Police Department],” said UMW Police Chief Michael Hall. “We can contact any agency if we need to [and] there are a host of resources that we can go through.” In the event of a sexual assault or battery on campus, the UMW PD prioritizes the medical needs, support mechanisms, and on and off-campus resources provided to the survivor. “Within 72 hours of a reported sexual assault, the Sexual Assault Response Team, which is mandated by state law, has to comes together to review the circumstances. Shortly thereafter, contact with the Commonwealth Attorney is made,” said Chief Hall. The Office of the Commonwealth Attorney is the office that decides whether or not a charge is to be filed.
Since the campus crime alert was sent out to the community, students and others have expressed their concern with the release date of the alert, as it was sent out four days after the offense. “Normally, depending on the circumstances, institutions [will] send out a timely warning for sexual assault,” said Chief Hall. “We use the policy that we have in place. If the accused is not known, or not readily available, we immediately send out the timely warning.” If there are extenuating circumstances, the UMW PD will evaluate them and then make a decision on how and when to alert the community. If there is no imminent danger to the community, the UMW PD will revert back to a campus alert. “By the Clery Act, we are required to notify the community and we use the timely warning if there is imminent danger to the community,” said Chief Hall. In this case, the suspect has been identified by the UMW PD and they are not affiliated with the University. Another concern of many UMW
SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE
and drugs may impair judgment, making it difficult to notice unsafe situations and intervene to help others.” “I’ve had some calls about whether we’re accusing or victim blaming [by making that statement]. That’s the furthest thing from the truth that the A crime alert was sent out about a sexual battery incident that occured Sept. 22. University Kelley Barron / The Blue & Gray Press Police obligation to tell students in the Department community: be careful.” wants any victim or survivor to think,” In this scenario, the individual tried said Chief Hall. to use narcotics on the survivor, giving Students and community members the UMW PD grounds to mention it in expressed their discomfort with the their campus-wide alert. wording of the email, stating that the “We put safety tips in every email. We’re mandated, whether it’s a timely warning or an alert, to put safety tips in every email that goes out,” said Chief Hall. At this time, the student does not wish to press charges. But, if they choose to, they will still have the option to move forward. wording suggested victim blaming or “The UMW PD and the shaming. Commonwealth Attorney do everything “Victim blaming is the last thing they can to honor the wishes of the we want to do,” said Chief Hall. “I survivor,” said Chief Hall. feel a moral, ethical, and professional
“I feel a moral, ethical, and professional obligation to tell students in the community: be careful.” -Chief Michael Hall community members are the final two sentences of the campus crime alert. These two sentences read: “It is believed that the sharing of narcotics is a tactic used by this subject. Alcohol
Dr. Leslie Martin promotes civic engagement as new Faculty Director at the Center for Community Engagement SARAH HAMPTOn Staff Writer
Dr. Leslie Martin has recently accepted the position of Faculty Director at the Center for Community Engagement. “When President Paino laid out his strategic vision for UMW, including community and civic engagement – I saw such an opportunity to engage even more fully in this work. The Center provides an opportunity to bring others on this journey too,” said Martin. Dr. Martin has been a faculty member for over 10 years at UMW. Formerly, she was Chair of the • MARTIN | 2 Department
IN THIS
ISSUE
Dr. Leslie Martin has been working at Mary Washington for over 10 years as a professor of sociology.
RIVER CLEANUP
brett KAVANAUGH
University Relations
NOT TODAY
Cleaning and protecting the Rappahannock River.
A glance at the Kavanaugh trials.
Students and faculty weigh in on a UMW Football team.
LIFE | 6
VIEWPOINTS | 4
SPORTS | 3
NEWS THE
BLUE & GRAY PRESS
MISSION The Blue & Gray Press is published every Thursday in the University Apartments Clubhouse for our university community. The goal of The Blue & Gray Press is to produce high quality and accurate news in a manner compliant with the Society of Professional Journalists ethics code. In its coverage, The Blue & Gray Press strives to highlight the community of the University of Mary Washington, as well as deliver fair and accurate coverage on the issues important to our students.
EDITORS-AT-LARGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lauren Closs
Associate Editor Ginny Bixby
Managing Editor Ryan Brauch
SECTION EDITORS NEWS Meaghan McIntyre Kate Seltzer
VIEWPOINTS Grace Winfield
Editors: Meaghan McIntyre & Kate Seltzer | blueandgray.news@gmail.com
COAR has high hopes for positive changes and advancements under Dr. Martin’s guidance •MARTIN | 1
of Sociology and Anthropology and an Associate Professor of Sociology. In 2013, Martin spearheaded an initiative to raise money to provide permanent housing for local homeless families. She helped the UMW community raise over $3,500. “I have been concerned my whole life with working against inequality in injustice. It feels so fundamentally unfair, and harms people in such complicated ways,” said Martin. Martin foresees the Center becoming a place where the passions and skills of students, faculty, staff and community members can be brought together to better our communities. Her first task is to solidify the relationships that are already established in the local community. “We want to make sure we are well-supporting all of the amazing work UMW students, faculty and staff are already doing with community partners,” she said. Community Outreach and Resources (COAR) falls under the umbrella of the Center for Community Engagement. COAR is a student-run entity that sponsors multiple weekly and annual events to serve and better the Fredericksburg area. Senior Anika Hussain is a studio art major in the education program. Hussain is the COAR Student Director and is excited about Dr. Martin’s new position.
Lucas Burkholder
SPORTS Jack Hagn
ONLINE Ronic Ngambwe Harry Fisher
Cayley McGuire
FACULTY ADVISOR Sushma Subramanian
“I believe Dr. Martin strongly values COAR’s commitment to giving back. Hence, I think she will be a
many opportunities to become involved in the community and make personal connections with those who are at our weekly and annual programs.” As well as COAR, the Center for Community Engagement also manages civic engagement activities that are geared towards voter participation, education on social issues and activism. Martin said the Center’s biggest challenge is pacing themselves. “There are a lot of really exciting opportunities – and super motivated people. But we want to make sure we have the capacity to support the efforts we commit to,” she said. In her new role as Director, Martin is certain to bring changes to the Center for Community Engagement. She said that one thing that will not change is her love for UMW. “I love teaching and advising
“I love teaching and advising and being able to work closely with students, to help them define and achieve their goals.”
LIFE
PHOTO
COAR is monitored by the Center for Community Engagement. Christina Eggenberger / University Relations
Dr. Leslie Martin recently became the Faculty Director at the Center for Community Engagement. Josh Rios / The Blue & Gray Press
-Dr. Leslie Martin
positive push in our continued growth and development,” Hussain said. “I also believe she has the ability to help create a more unified department of service, under the Center for Community Engagement, to bring together all service-oriented groups on campus,” she said. Senior Jordan Chandler is a geography major and staff member of COAR. She is also the co-leader for Therapeutic Horseback “I also believe she has the ability to help Riding, one create a more unified department of of the many outreach service, under the Center for Community programs Engagement, to bring together all COAR offers. service-oriented groups on campus.” “I hope that Dr. Martin will -Anika Hussain be able to make COAR, as well as the Center for Community and being able to work closely with Engagement, well known on campus. I students, to help them define and wish more students know about all of achieve their goals. Our size and our the volunteer opportunities COAR has liberal arts mission make developing to offer,” Chandler said. these relationships possible- and super Chandler continued, “There are so fulfilling,” she said.
CORRECTIONS for THE Week The article titled “Annual benefit show continues to support UMW riding” from the September 28 print edition was incorrectly attributed to Ashleigh Grim. It was written by Samantha Bennett. PLEASE REPORT ANY MISTAKES SEEN IN THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS TO Lauren Closs, blueandgray.eic@gmail.com or Sushma Subramanian, ssubrama@umw.edu
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SPORTS
UMW varsity football remains a fantasy for students
RILEY DOHERTY Staff Writer
The UMW Athletics Department has no plans to create an official university football program now or in the near future. When thinking about college culture, some things that may come to mind are school pride, mascots and sports. Of those college sports, one of the most popular is football, which according to the NCAA’s 2017 records, had a total national attendance rate of over 47 million people during the 2017 season. The University of Mary Washington is somewhat of an outlier from other universities due to its lack of an official school football program. And this may not change for some time, as Patrick Catullo, interim Director of Athletics stated via email, “UMW does not have any plans to add any new sports, including football.” Costs are one reason why UMW is not planning on creating a football team, or any new sport, any time soon. An example of the steep costs of a football program comes from the University of Virginia located in Charlottesville. UVA’s Scott Stadium cost around $300,000 to build, which may seem like a strangely cheap price to build a functioning stadium, before it is taken into account that construction on Scott Stadium began in 1930. The estimated rate of inflation saw Scott Stadium’s
construction price balloon just weren’t as many men.” Without a up to almost 5 million lot of male students there was no way dollars, not including for a football program could take off. renovations, power, Another reason that football has plumbing, etc. and that is not found a home at UMW is due to just the stadium. Title IX. For the most basic “The reason we don’t have protective gear, a quick football or a men’s volleyball team look at the Dick’s Sporting is Title IX,” said Landphair. “[Title Goods website shows that IX] states you have to spend an equal football helmets can cost amount of money on both [men and anywhere from 60 to 300 women’s] groups.” dollars. This is not taking Due to the policy on equal UMW football t-shirts sold Noah Strobel/The Blue and Gray Press in to account other essential in the bookstore. spreading of funds, bringing football player gear including because of tradition. or any new sport into the current mix mouthguards, shoulder, elbow, and knee “We’ve never had football,” said throws everything out of balance. pads, cleats, jerseys, chin straps and Landphair. “If you look into the history “If we were to bring in football we so much more. In addition to player as a women’s college, we’ve never had a would either have to increase the amount gear, there is also necessary training football program.” of women’s sports or worse remove a equipment, transportation and other Due to Mary Washington originally men’s sport,” said Landphair. costs. To sponsor a football program being a college for women, and the Dr. Landphair also questioned if UMW would have to increase tuition professional level of football being a football would be a sound investment mostly male sport, there wasn’t much prices or other expenses on campus in for the school. “There’s so much more reason to invest in a program. This order to raise enough funds for even the coming out about concussions and the mindset carried on even after Mary basic necessities. damaging effects of football.” Landphair Washington began accepting male “I think if they [the UMW Athletics argued that because of the constantly applicants in the early 1970s. Department] even attempted to create reemerging stories about the negative “What we saw was a movement a proper football team, they would be effects football has on people young into women’s tennis, then men’s tennis wasting a lot of money that could be and old, there’s a risk that football and expansion into other sports. But no going to other projects,” said sophomore could become a dangerous investment if football,” said Landphair. Parker Siebenschuh when asked about popularity declines. When asked if football was even the creation of a football program. Although UMW is not planning on Dr. Juliette Landphair, Vice President on the radar of the administration, creating an official team any time soon, of Student Affairs, gave further insight Landphair responded, “I’m sure it was for those interested in football there is talked about, but our demographics were into the reasoning for UMW lacking always the UMW intramural football skewed towards female students. There a football team. One of the reasons is team and 7 on 7 club football team.
Varsity soccer shapes college experience for senior athlete ELIZABETH FINTO Staff Writer
Sports make up a large part of Mary Washington’s community and have a unique impact on the college experiences of athletes. The women’s soccer team is one team that is doing well this season. So far, they have played in seven games and scored 21 goals. Their record thus far stands at 6-0-1. As their season progresses, senior players look back at their time on the team. Christina Carlston is a senior at Mary Washington, and has been a member of the UMW women’s soccer team for the last four years. She first started playing soccer when she was only five years old when her parents signed her up to play like many other parents do with their children. “I never was able to grow out of the sport or let it go,” said Carlston.
Christina Carlston receives the ball.
Sue Spencer
She continued to play soccer all the way through high school. As she got older, her competitive streak started to come through more and more, and her life began to revolve around soccer. “My dream had always been to compete and have the opportunity to play at the collegiate level. That being said I ultimately got recruited to come play [at UMW] and made my dream a reality,” said Carlston. Being a part of this soccer team has truly changed Carlston’s life. She has met numerous people who have become her best friends. She began playing on the team as a freshman who did not know anyone and now she looks back on her experience as a senior and is so grateful for the relationships she has been able to make. Although Carlston has loved being a part of the soccer team, she has also been met with some adversity. Before coming to play for UMW, she had never experienced any serious injuries. However, while playing for UMW, she has unfortunately had three major concussions that have caused her problems such as severe headaches and pain in her neck and back. Being a part of the team has also changed her life because she is now “incredibly susceptible” to other head injuries and trauma, which forces her to be very careful in the activities she takes part in. Another challenge that Carlston
faced was learning how to balance both school and soccer at the same time. During her freshman year, she struggled with the time constraints placed on her schedule. She has learned to eliminate procrastination as much as possible and to stay ahead of her work. She plans her weeks ahead of time and focuses on what assignments are most important, which in turn helps to alleviate any stress. Carlston continues to love and play soccer while being inspired by her younger sister, Cori. Both Christina and Cori have played soccer their entire lives, and both have the same goals and aspirations when it comes to the competitive sport. Unfortunately, Cori sustained a career ending injury. Carlston saw her sister unable to play a sport they both love, and realized how difficult it is to not be able to do something you truly love. Cori has taught her that life challenges you sometimes, and it is possible to overcome those challenges. “I will always strive to be as positive and strong willed as she is,” said Carlston. Being a part of the UMW women’s soccer team has taught Christina lessons that she can bring with her on and off the soccer field. “I’ve learned to think outside of myself, how to handle conflict, overcome difficult situations and enjoy some of the little moments that you won’t be able to get back,” said Carlston.
Soccer has been such a large part of her life, she is learning that there is more to life than soccer. She knows it will have to come to an end, but it is something she will hold with her forever. Carlston reflected on her favorite memories from her playing career. One of them was when UMW beat Christopher Newport University in the CAC tournament semifinals her freshman year. Another one of her favorite memories is when UMW beat Salisbury her sophomore year. These two memories stand out to her because of the strong rivalries between the teams. Carlston will definitely miss being a part of UMW’s soccer team. One major part she is going to miss is “the opportunity to go out daily and compete alongside [her] best friends in practices or games.” “I am a super driven, competitive and passionate person so not having the opportunity to go compete everyday in a sport I love is going to be a hard adjustment especially since I’ve been doing it since I was five. I’m certainly going to miss being around a group of girls who have essentially become family as well. I spend 95% of my time with my team and not seeing them daily will be definitely missed,” said Carlston. She will finish up her career at UMW within the next few weeks, as the women’s soccer team’s season progresses.
Weekly Scoreboard Men's Rugby
Sep. 29 @ Georgetown (L) UMW: 47 Georgetown: 28
men's Soccer
Sep. 29 vs. York (Pa.) (T`) UMW: 1 York: 1
women's Volleyball
Women's Tennis
Oct. 2 @ Catholic University (W) UMW: 3 Catholic: 0
Oct. 05 @ Navy Inventational TBD
Field Hockey
women's Volleyball
Oct. 3 @ Randolph-Macon (W) UMW: 2 Randolph-Macon: 1
Oct. 6 @ York (Pa.) (Dig Pink Game)
Woman's Soccer
Oct. 6 @ St. Mary’s (Md.) TBD
Men's soccer
Oct. 6 @ St. Mary’s (Md.) TBD
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VIEWPOINTS
Brett Kavanaugh does not possess the qualities expected of a Supreme Court Justice
MATTHEW LEIBOWITZ Staff Writer
Deep State. A term that’s been thrown around more than a few times in the last year. Whether it’s been Democrats talking about the blatant corruption seen in Washington or, more likely, the Republicans blaming every single thing around them rather than taking responsibility for their actions in recent months. Regardless, bi-partisan polarization is at an all time high in this country and its divide has never felt more rigid. The most recent development of this week is centralized in the very heated topic of Brett Kavanaugh. Before getting into the obvious lies coming from a prominent judge, take a step back and look at the overall position he’s “applying” for. The nomination for a Supreme Court Justice is no walk in the park. It is, after all, one of the highest positions a person can achieve in this country. Not only does it require a congressional vote for approval, but the approval must also go through our president. Once accepted, it’s a life-long position to be held until a judge decides to resign and pass down the torch to another. Not only that, but the ideas the judge must possess are, in theory, supposed to be unbiased. The Supreme Court isn’t supposed to hold affiliations to either party, and once again in theory, are supposed to weigh both sides and act for the right of law, not the right of politics, corruption, corporations, and every other power that is currently running rampant through America. As anyone would expect, these nominees are meant to be heavily vetted and
thoroughly examined. That brings us back to the occurrences that have taken place this week and the blatant disregard for law and operations that are seen as standard for this position. What has happened this week in the congressional hearing regarding Brett Kavanaugh and Dr. Christine Blasey Ford was nothing short of a sexist, misogynistic trampling in the name of a person who is supposed to be unbiased and judicial. Dr. Ford was a true American hero. In the face of Congress, she stood strong, controlled and well-behaved. She never once interrupted anyone and withstood the criminal-like accusations and crossexamining that was presented to her. Kavanaugh, on the other hand, often interrupted female senators that were a part of the board and acted like an upset child in the face of his own lies. He claimed earlier this week that he never got drunk, never had sex until years after high school, and that his calendar was strong enough proof that he wouldn’t have attended any parties in question. During the hearing, when asked by Senator Klobuchar (Minnesota, Dem.) if he had ever gotten blackout drunk, Kavanaugh diverted the question with his own: “You’re asking about blackout. I don’t know, have you?” This is the face that the Republican body of Congress is trying to expedite quickly into his life-long position. How did we get here? Clearly, something has gone wrong with the vetting process if, out of 5+ possible nominees, of which there were female Republicans, how did our nation end up with the nominee who is an accused sexual predator? To answer this, we have
Kavanaugh and Ford both testified at the Senate hearing on Sept. 27 .
to go back to the previous term held by President Barack Obama. Found here is the realization that the Republican dominant Congress delayed the nomination process and said it should be decided by the next President in office. Yet after delaying it because it’s such an important decision, now they want to speed up the process. It seems that this decision is no longer being decided for unbiased accuracy, but is being hurried along to secure party control and power within multiple branches of the government, certainly working in Kavanaugh’s favor. What it comes down to, all allegations aside, are a few questions every American should ask themselves, no matter what party they consider themselves to be a part of; is this man fit to serve on such a highly respected panel of judges? Does he possess the qualities
Variety
of a Supreme Court Judge? Will he put his own bias aside and decide what’s best for our country and follow the law he’ll be in position to uphold? After watching the entirety of the congressional hearing held on Thursday, Sept. 27, I stand with Dr. Ford and her account of a high school age Kavanaugh. It took a tremendous amount of strength to do what she did. But is that enough? Do people honestly think after the manner of which he has conducted himself on a national platform that he’s someone they would want to be a Supreme Court Justice? In the wake of this last week’s events, we, as a nation, need to seriously contemplate what it means to be a Supreme Court Justice. Kavanaugh is a disgrace to American democracy and lacks the character required of such a prestigious position.
RA presence for roommate agreements should be optional BRIDGET DANVER Staff Writer
The roommate agreement is one of the most sacred promises on college campuses. It sets boundaries between all sides, and can be referred to in case an issue occurs. Usually roommates that are on good terms with each other never have to refer to it, but those who absolutely cannot tolerate their roommate’s quirks may treat the contract as the Ten Commandments in a ‘Thou shall not leave the lights on after 11 p.m.’ kind of situation. This year, UMW made it a requirement for RAs to be present when roommates complete the agreements, and this rule is unnecessary. It should not be mandatory for RAs to be present because not every group needs the extra supervision. A better solution that would be more beneficial for all parties is for RAs to be present if students request it. From rescuing poor students locked out of their dorms, facilitating conflicts, keeping up with paperwork, and basically babysitting college students, RAs already have enough on their plate. We often forget that they are also students with coursework and other responsibilities, and deserve to have fun too with their social circles. Junior English major Catherine Cosgriff supports the new rule.“I feel
[it] should be necessary for the RAs to be there because I feel like if there are any pressing issues going on between
have chosen one another and handle their differences privately. If a pair of roommates have established their rules,
While many displaced students may be living with new people, other residents already know their roommates and have lived with them before.
roommates or suitemates, at that moment the RA is already aware of it ahead of time, they can check in on you like if things aren’t going well.” While problematic roommates or random roommates may benefit from an RA’s presence, most roommates
marywash / Instagram
known each other for a decent amount of time, and have never had any serious conflicts, it would be a waste of time for the RA to stand there and listen to best friends handle the agreement smoothly. It would make more sense for the RA to be present if there were actual issues that
needed to be discussed. Another con to making it mandatory for RAs to be present is finding a time for all needed members to be in the same room at the same time. Students that are active members of the UMW community may have difficulty finding free time to schedule a meeting with their RA and roommate, whether it may be because of sports, theatre or clubs. RAs as well have to add that task to their list of priorities. If it was optional to have the RA present, then RAs would not have as many students to visit and will lessen the chance of them being overwhelmed. “My RA is also a bio major and obviously those classes are pretty tough and not only that she’s also a Chemistry PASS leader so she has to tutor freshmen on Chem 101,” says sophomore and biology major Michelle Marin. “I know her on a personal level because we were friends. I knew her last year, I know she’s the type of person that likes to have time to study but like I know with this added onto her schedule, she seems a little frustrated.” It is important to remember RAs are human too, and they are allowed to be angry, overwhelmed and flat-out busy. Their job is to make residents feel comfortable in their own living space, and if residents are already comfortable, then there is no need for them to be present during the roommate agreement.
Thursday, October 2018 Thursday, January 21, 4, 2015
VIEWPOINTS
Editor: Grace Winfield | blueandgray.views@gmail.com
In-season varsity student athletes should have preferential registration
BRIDGET DANVER Staff Writer
Registering for classes is always stressful, especially for student athletes. While registering for classes, student athletes need to try their best to keep mornings open for rehabilitation, midday open for away-game departures and lifting, afternoons open for pre-practice treatment, filming, and practice and evenings open for games. As a student athlete, I have experienced the panic and stress of trying to register for classes that worked well with my sports schedule but were already full by the time I was able to register. My sophomore year, I needed to take a business prerequisite that was already full, so I had to sign up for the class offered later in the day. Because of the later class time, I had to leave early or miss this class weekly because of departure times for away games. I informed the professor of these dates in the beginning of the semester so he was understanding; however, I still felt the anxiety of missing class content and losing participation points from my absences. I propose that student athletes should be able to have preferential registration while registering for the semester in which their traditional season takes place. Preferential registration means that student athletes would be given a “head start” of 15 minutes before their original registration time. This will allow
Varsity senior lacrosse players and communications majors, Chris White and Hope Lockwood, in front of the Hurley Convergence Center.
student athletes to register before their classmates but not completely disrupt the seniority based system. For example, the soccer team’s traditional season is in the fall, so soccer players would get preferential registration for the fall semester only. According to the UMW athletics website, there are eight fall teams, four winter teams and nine spring teams. Because winter teams’ traditional season is during both semesters, they would be able to get preferential registration for
“ I totally agree that we should get to register first. Because our schedules are so restricted with lift and practice times, it makes it difficult to pick classes.”
-TESS SIBURN The editorial staff of the Blue and Gray Press encourages you to vote in the November 6 election. But I’m not registered to vote. Registering to vote is actually pretty easy! Here’s where you can do it online: https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/ VoterInformation. The form should take no more than five to ten minutes to complete. There are also several clubs and organizations on campus that can register you in person. The deadline to register is October 15. I’m not registered to vote in Fredericksburg, and I won’t have time to get home to vote in person. That’s OK! There are a couple of solutions. First, you can update your voter registration using the information above. If you’ll be living on campus for the next couple of years, it’s one less thing to worry about come election season. If you’re not feeling such a commitment, no worries! You can vote
both semesters. With my proposal, 12 teams would register early in the fall and 13 in the spring. “I totally agree that we should get to register first. Because our schedules are so restricted with lift and practice times, it makes it difficult to pick classes,” said sophomore Tess Siburn. “By the time we can register, most of the classes that work with our lacrosse schedule are already full.” To say the least, in-season athletes have small windows of availability to get the classes they need and they are often already full by the time they get to register. General education and prerequisite classes typically need to be taken in a certain order and fill up quickly with the small class sizes offered here. Therefore, if there are no available sections that works with a student athletes schedule, this can halt progress of completing classes needed to declare a major or complete certain requirements. If a student is not able to register for a class they need, sometimes they will reach out to the professor to see if they can be force added. “Because of basketball, we have to have our classes over by 3 o’clock both
Staff Ed: Vote this upcoming election By THE BLUE AND GRAY PRESS EDITORIAL BOARD absentee. You can apply to receive your ballot here: https://www.elections. virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/absenteevoting/index.html. The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is October 30 at 5 p.m.. If you mail in your completed ballot, the Voter Registration Office must receive it by 7:00 p.m. on November 6. Otherwise, you can turn it in in
person by Saturday, November 3 at the Voter Registrar at 601 Caroline St. I don’t have a way of getting to the polls. There are several clubs on campus giving rides to the polls from the bell tower all day Election Day. If an illness or other condition impacts your mobility, you can vote absentee.
Griffin Bower / The Blue & Gray Press
semesters. I have had to miss out on some classes I would have loved to take and have had to try to force add classes that I needed for my major,” said senior marketing major Alannah Miller. “A lot of professors were understanding and would force add me if they could, but not every professor was able to.” Other schools, like Lehigh University, give preferential registration times to in-season student athletes. The student athletes are allowed to register 30 minutes before their normal registration times. Craig Chick, a senior at Lehigh University, said, “Registering early in-season is very helpful for athletes because it helps ease the process of time management during the busiest times of our lives. Having that little extra time to register for classes that work with a busy athletic schedule is crucial to not only academic success but athletic as well.” I believe this registration change is important for student athletes who put just as much time into their sport, as in the classroom. I think all student athletes would really appreciate this change, as it is crucial to decrease stress and improve the UMW student athlete experience.
I don’t have a government issued photo ID. You do! You can use your Eagle One as photo ID on Election Day at the polls. My vote won’t matter. Voter turnout is so egregiously low in all elections, but especially state and local, that there’s a good chance your vote will matter. Last year’s House of Delegates election was won by less that 100 votes. That said, even though your vote won’t be THE tiebreaker, politicians on both sides know that our generation doesn’t vote. As a result, they have no reason to care about our issues. (Ever wonder why nobody talks about student loans?) Make your voice heard. This election has the potential to flip both houses Congress. Regardless of whether you want that to happen, voting is key way to have a say in the policymaking process and influence the issues you care about.
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LIFE
Editor: Lucas Burkholder blueandgray.life@gmail.com
Protecting the Rappahannock, keeping our river clean
cycles which occur regularly between the environment and living things to maintain Imagine yourself on a nice warm day, natures balance… if such walking to the Rappahannock River. cycles get disturbed, natures It’s a brisk 72 degrees, partially cloudy balance also gets disturbed and birds are chirping all around when which ultimately affects suddenly, a piece of glass slices through human lives,” states Friends your shoe before you get to the beach. of the Environment’s website. Thankfully, instances like these are Three main cycles which less likely because of river cleanups. Not drive production on earth are only are they important for recreational the carbon, phosphorus and safety, but also for wildlife surrounding nitrogen cycles. An offset the Rappahannock and potential from one of these such as pollutants which seep into the vegetation nitrogen which is gained and water streams alike. through the root system Friends of the Rappahannock, affects the taste of vegetables based in Fredericksburg, is a strong or fruit. advocate for environmental education, April Peterson, a local restoration and advocacy. They provide business owner, finds picking ample connections to get active in one’s up even the smallest rubbish community to help keep the surrounding highly effective for a healthy city clean. environment, “some of An upcoming river cleanup will be the most harmful trash is Friends of the Rappahannock offers “Riverfest” on Oct. 20. happening in the next few days. The Big ‘micro-trash’ or trash that Fall Cleanup is on Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. is so small that most people count it as being absorbed by the plant, it halts to noon. Over 10 sites will be scanned unimportant.” Nitrogen Dioxide can be other nutrients from being taken in by and cleared starting at Old Mill Park and found in cigarettes which are a large said plant. When river cleanups are going to various places along the river. portion of micro-trash. “It ends up in enacted, it allows for new groups such A healthy environment allows for a the river and consumed by wildlife.” as tree planting organizations to come higher quality of life. “There are various Due to large quantities of nitrogen in and place plants near the river to soak up pollution which would potentially flow into the river system. The loss of grass and weeds due to the colder season will also allow unwanted sediment into the river due to lack of filtration. This makes picking up trash even more crucial. With the absence of many leaves and plants decaying it is much easier to see trash. Unfortunately, this also means that, “Trash can more easily fly from parking lots straight into the river,” said Check out the Friends of the Rappahannock at riverfriends.org. Cayley McGuire / The Blue & Gray Press Peterson. HEATHER STROTHER Staff Writer
Cayley McGuire / The Blue & Gray Press
Peterson, owner of River Rock Outfitters in downtown Fredericksburg is highly active in keeping her community’s environment clean. “If we want clean water to drink and play on then we must start doing our part.” On her usual cleanups she will spot plastic bags, pizza boxes and food containers, but not every cleanup is typical. “We always find trash that is purposefully dumped, for example, we have found old mattresses, rusted bikes, old air conditioner units, tires and even a safe.” There are many simple ways students can become active in keeping their town clean, such as picking up trash they may see on a walk, using reusable items and influencing peers to be aware and involved with keeping Fredericksburg or wherever they go clean. It’s never too late to take part in caring about the environment.
Students reflect on the value of college courses in high school KAITLYN MCCLUNG Staff Writer
High school students across the country participate in the Advanced Placement (AP) program, in which students take college level classes, culminating in a test at the end of the year. If students score well on this test, they can receive college credit. But do University of Mary Washington students really feel that taking AP courses in high school helped prepare them for college courses here, or was it a waste of their time? “I feel like in high school, [Literature and Language classes] are easier, they’re more diluted in terms of content,” said freshman Naana Adusei. Naana Adusei took AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Language, and AP Literature among three other AP History courses in high school. When asked if the preparation was worth the extra work in high school, Adusei said, “For my science classes, I think those were worth taking in high school, so AP Bio and AP Chem, but for Literature, I don’t think that was worth taking in high school.” She believes AP Literature and AP Language were definitely easier compared to the language and literature courses she is taking now, stating that the classes were not structured in a way that prepared her for college. Adusei did, however, strongly feel
that her AP Biology and AP Chemistry courses helped her prepare for classes here. “For AP Bio and AP Chem, they do actually help, and I actually brought my AP Bio notes from school, and they’re really useful.” Kerri Lynch, a freshman UMW student, shared a similar sentiment: some classes were useful while others were essentially pointless. “I mean, there are a lot of seminar style classes with a lot of writing and a lot of reading. For the AP class, I would say that didn’t help me in any way, shape, or form. That was because I had a poor teacher, but with the IB classes, I would say that they were challenging enough and kind of gave me what I believed was an insight to college classes.” Elaborating on her bad experience with AP, Lynch said her teacher piled on busy work and didn’t guide students through the challenging material. Freshman Sally Sesay agreed. “My AP English Language and Composition teacher, she was really enthusiastic about it, and I think she just expected way too much. She wanted us to get way too much done, but we couldn’t. She was just doing a lot of things and didn’t know how to organize it properly.” Sesay also took dual enrollment the following year as a senior. Compared to AP, Sesay said her dual enrollment course was more relevant to her courses now. “I think I’m going to use more of
the information from my dual enrollment English class than I am for my AP English class because there was more time to sit down with the professor and talk, go over what we’re learning in class, and how to write the essays. I feel like I understood that better from the way he did it than the way my AP teacher did.” She speculated that AP was more fast paced due to the looming deadline of the The registrar is located in Lee Hall for questions about AP exam. Sesay likened the University Relations transferring AP and IB credits. AP teaching style to the SOL teaching style: Test-specific also felt her dual enrollment teachers information was packed into a short were more suited for teaching college amount of time, cutting down on the time level classes because they were actual students received to fully understand the professors of college courses at her local material. In her opinion, dual enrollment community college. more strongly resembled college courses Freshman Cailey Epperson, who here. The teacher would lecture, and did not take any AP courses in high students would take notes, study, and be school, admitted that she did feel behind tested. everyone else in terms of credits, but the In Sesay’s opinion, it all depends classes themselves are not as hard as she on who teaches the class and how they expected them to be. organize it. “If they’re trying to fit too In the long run, students feel that AP much into a block of time, there are or IB classes can be useful in preparing too many projects or written responses, them for true college courses in terms and it doesn’t help [students] receive of workload and with credits. Among help for the essays.” She preferred dual UMW students, there is little consistency enrollment over AP because her credits when it comes to whether or not they feel for the class were guaranteed to transfer. prepared by taking college level courses In AP, credits only transfer if a student in high school. score a 3 or above on the AP exam. She
Thursday, October 4, 2018
LIFE
The Frights release new album and begin nation-wide tour
ALICEN HACKNEY Online Editor
The Frights formed in 2012 and ever since they’ve been growing both stylistically and creatively. With the release of their most recent album “Hypochondriac,” which came out on Aug 24, The Frights have stretched from their consistent surf punk sound to encompass a grungy and rather clear studio sound. For this album, lead singer and guitar player Mikey Carnevale approached writing in a new and invasive way. “The writing flowed pretty naturally,” said Carnevale. “I went through quite a lot of bullsh*t since the last record… so, I had a lot to talk about. It’s mostly personal stuff, so I tried to make venting entertaining to listen to.” “Hypochondriac” has songs that represent some different and all too common mental issues like anxiety and depression, and how these things affect the band on the road. “No Place Like (Not Being) Home” directly deals with what it’s been like for the band members to be on the road, how it feels to be in the van all day, and how they feel about the isolation created by this lifestyle. “Tell Me Why I’m Okay” focuses on the realities of living with depression, how often it feels impossible to do anything but close yourself in at home, and that the answers in this case look to be medication or suicide. “Broken Brain” and “Pills” both deal with addiction in different ways, the first seems to nod to medication taken for an anxiety disorder while the second deals more with a selfprescribed and life-long addiction. “Crutch” is one of the three songs on the album that has a music video
out, all three of which focus more heavily on life as a touring musician and growing up through it. Carnevale has stated, “It’s a song about our band. About how it can simultaneously be the coolest thing in the world and the only thing I actually hate.” This song flows naturally into “Me and We and I” which is also one of the three music videos. In this song there’s a sense of losing your mind about growing into adulthood, just the opening sets the scene of a man shaving off all of his hair because he had a feeling he was going bald. There’s a three song progression towards the end of the album that can be put together to represent a relationship from the wonderful beginning parts Hysteria Magazine The Frights are known for their hit songs “Kids” and “All I Need”. of love, light, and wonder, to the difficult and shudder-inducing end. is growing distant to having to watch it ‘You’re all I need.’” Here the song “Goodbyes” describes the beginning be torn away from you, “like my heart references a track off of the band’s last of a relationship with someone who that you tore from my guts with your album called “All I Need.” comes out of nowhere but brightens your words.” This album is for the tough times whole world, someone who makes you “Over It” features layered and good times alike with its more realize just how good things can be and vocalization in the chorus that is aggressive songs propped up well how hard it is to say goodbye to that intriguing and incredibly pleasant to against bouncy and reassuring vibes. feeling. “Hold Me Down” expresses the the ear, while the lyrics and the rest of “Hypochondriac” is an incredibly honest emotions of a failing relationship that the instrumentation in the song express album about going through your twenties you’d do anything to have back even excruciating frustration with a significant and trying to find yourself while dealing though you may have messed up this other who can’t seem to stop bringing with the difficult things life throws your relationship and others exponentially. drama into a dead situation. “Whatever” way, which any twenty-something can This song is immediately followed is a gut punch expressing what it had attest to. by “Alone” which is said to be about been like for Carnevale to play songs The Frights have already Carnevale’s ex-girlfriend, “A real he had written about his ex before they begun their U.S. tour as of Aug. 24, pretty girl that I know. How did I scare had broken up. “And I’m still messed and Saturday, Oct. 6 they will be in her away? A mistake that I shouldn’t up from when you said you didn’t love Baltimore at the Metro Gallery. Tickets have made. Wearing my blood on me thirty minutes before we played ten are currently available through the my sleeves, smother, it helps, but it’s songs about your name. And this crowd band’s website and through Ticketfly, harder to breathe.” These songs flow in is screaming back as I had a heart attack, but many shows on the tour have already progression from realizing a relationship as I tried to play the lead, as I yelled sold out.
Domain Fellows create websites and discuss impact of web CAMERON ASHLEY Staff Editor
Recently, the applications for UMW Domain Fellows closed and a new group of applicants became the next group of students to participate in the second year of this program, in which students create their own projects using UMW’s Domain of One’s Own. Domain of One’s Own is a project that was launched in 2013. With this project, students and faculty at Mary Washington have the ability to create their own free domain with which to do whatever they want. They can choose to keep the domain or do nothing with it after they finish school. This entire project was pioneered at Mary Washington. Universities like Oklahoma University, Brigham Young University and Coventry University in the UK have all taken the idea of Domain of One’s Own and changed it to fit their own needs. Domain Fellows is a project that was launched a year ago and is a program that is designed for students to use Domain of One’s Own in a way that they had maybe not thought before. “I wanted students to start thinking about Domain of One’s Own outside the classroom and to really start realizing what Domain of One’s Own afforded them could be a powerful thing in their personal lives and in their future and in their understanding of themselves on the web.” said Martha Burtis, Director of Digital Knowledge Center and the mind
Jenn Hill and Joemmel Tendilla work together at the DKC.
behind Domain Fellows. For classes, students may simply post on their websites the projects that they are doing. This is not the idea of Domain Fellows. In this program, the students create projects on their domains but also partake in important discussions on how the web works and how it affects their lives. “We just think the web is a place where we can share recipes on Facebook and post pictures of our puppies, and it is, but it is so much more than that and it’s shaping us and our culture in really critical ways. That is a conversation that we should be having with students because you’re that ones that have to go out and forge this territory for your futures.” Burtis said.
Zanab Farooq / The Blue & Gray Press
The main part of Domain Fellows is when students “work on a project that is really personally and intrinsically valuable to them and doesn’t have anything to do with a class or their major. It is just something that they want to do and explore on their domain,” said Burtis. One student, Jennifer Hill, who participated in the inaugural year of Domain Fellows, started out her project with a photography website but it soon morphed into another idea entirely. She soon focused on making her website unique to her and create in-depth posts, using digital skills she had acquired. Hill applied for several reasons. “Being a Domain Fellow also meant working closely with Martha Burtis and
picking her brain about the web and web culture,” said Hill. “I wanted to apply as Martha Burtis essentially invests $500 into your project. This money can be used for website tools, equipment, and any other needs. Investments like that are hard to come by and so I was eager at the prospect of obtaining and using this money for my website.” Domain Fellows receive a stipend of $500 for their work on their websites. Students work on their project for almost the whole school year. Hill said, “The work related to one’s project is selfdirected, meaning you set your own work and deadlines. Consequently, Domain Fellows isn’t like another class, but like a think tank with projects that you manage on your own with Martha’s help.” Finally, when students have completed their Domain Fellows work for the year, they become Domain Ambassadors. A Domain Ambassador is essentially someone who helps promote Domain of One’s Own on campus. As Hill said, “this can be through advertising your project to friends and telling them about the Domain Fellows Program. One can also act as a Domain Ambassador when organizing and attending Club Carnival.” Another way these Domain Ambassadors promote Domain of One’s Own is through attending and organizing Domain Days, where students can go to the HCC and learn more about Domain of One’s Own and set up their own domain.
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Weekend Events
Thursday
• October Blood Drive @HCC Digital Auditorium, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Museums as Viewing Machines: Work by Jeffrey Abt @Ridderhof Martin Gallery, all day • UMW Studio Art Faculty Exhibition @duPont Gallery, all day
Friday
• Rocktoberfest @Ball Circle, 3 • Small Concert Series @Ball p.m. - 5 p.m. Circle, 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. • Museums as Viewing • Museums as Viewing Machines: Work by Jeffrey Abt Machines: Work by Jeffrey Abt @Ridderhof Martin Gallery, ALL @Ridderhof Martin Gallery, all DAY day • UMW Studio Art Faculty • UMW Studio Art Faculty Exhibition @duPont Gallery, all Exhibition @duPont Gallery, all day day • UMW Philharmonic Orchestra with Paul Anka @Dodd Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
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LIFE
“The Predator” review: the hunt is on for a better movie
HARRY FISHER Online Editor
Few movies have managed to disappoint me as much as Shane Black’s “The Predator.” I’m generally pretty optimistic about movies, and even when they’re technically bad, I still manage to enjoy them for what they are. But this is the Predator we’re talking about here. We should expect a lot more from such a fun and entertaining series than this garbage that Shane Black just flung at the screen. The original “Predator” movie from 1987 was a good mix of action, horror and science fiction. The plot involved an alien hunter with highly advanced technology slowly killing off the members of a special forces team led by Arnold Schwarzenegger. It had great special effects, solid acting and all the amazingly cheesy one liners you could ask for. “Predator 2” had Danny Glover going up against a Predator in 1990’s Los Angeles, and expanded on the lore by adding new weapons to the Predator’s arsenal, and giving us more insight into their hunting code of honor. The third movie, “Predators,” went back to the roots of the first movie, and had a team of human soldiers and warriors stranded in an alien jungle where they were slowly hunted down by a trio of Predators. While fans often debate on the quality of the second and third movies, I personally think all three movies are highly entertaining and all around fun to watch. Too bad I can’t say the same about “The Predator.” You would think that Shane Black, who played one of the characters in the original film, would understand why
these movies are entertaining. But all he gave us with this flick is an incoherent, unfunny, unentertaining mess. The plot, if you can call it that, follows Army Ranger Quinn McKenna, played by Boyd Holbrook. During a mission, he has an encounter with a Predator who crash-lands on Earth and gets his hands on some Predator technology. He somehow accidentally ships it to his house, where his kid ends up playing with it. Meanwhile, McKenna himself gets thrown in the looney bin by the government so he can’t spill the beans on the alien creature he encountered. Here, he meets all the crazy criminals with one-note personalities who will be his friends for the rest of the movie. Until they inevitably die, of course. The Predator gets taken to a lab and studied by scientist Casey Bracket, played by Olivia Munn. The Predator escapes, kills a bunch of people with typical shaky-cam action on his way out, and now McKenna and his looney friends have to team up with Bracket to stop the Predator together. Oh, and there’s some kind of Super Predator trying to hunt down the normal Predator. And because McKenna’s kid is apparently a super genius who can figure out how to use the Predator technology in like, two days, the Super Predator is able to track him and go after him, thinking he’s the normal predator, so he gets involved in this whole mess too. This leads to a long slog of boring action scenes and bad attempts at humor. Apparently this movie’s idea of “funny” is to see how many times a character can drop the f-bomb in one sentence, and 90% of the movie’s dialogue is
like this. Then there’s all the unfunny someone who’s been a fan of this series self-aware humor, like how one of the for years, take it from me that this movie characters describes the Predator as is not worth your time or money, even looking like an evil Whoopi Goldberg. just to laugh at how bad it is. If you Nothing about the film makes it feel like want to watch a good “Predator” movie, a “Predator” movie. At best, this can check out any of the first three, because be viewed as a generic action movie, this one doesn’t deserve to be part of the but even then, I don’t see how anybody franchise. could possibly enjoy a movie with such unfunny dialogue, boring action and an inconsistent narrative that’s painfully hard to follow. None of the characters are interesting, and they’re all just there to be killed. Ironically, the Predators are the only interesting characters, even though they have no dialogue. But watching them kill people is just as boring as everything else, and it’s extremely frustrating when they’re unable to kill any of the main characters because they have plot armor. In short, this movie fails on pretty much every level, and has absolutely nothing worth seeing. As “The Predator” received a 34% on Rotten Tomatoes. IMDB
Walking or winning: some athletes miss out on graduation SARAH HAMPTON Staff Writer
In early May, student athletes are confronted with a big decision. It is not about post-grad jobs or internships that are already on every senior’s mind, it is about the privilege of walking across the graduation stage. Getting to participate in the NCAA tournament is a big accomplishment. Teams focus time and energy for months to qualify. In the NCAA tournament, teams are given a chance to compete at the highest level and extend their season. But every year, spring sport teams that make it into the tournament must cross their fingers and hope that their game schedule does not conflict with graduation. For the past three years, the UMW
women’s lacrosse team has received a bid into the NCAA tournament. Selection Show Sunday is an anxiety-inducing process that occurs after every lacrosse team in the country has finished their regular playing season. The NCAA live broadcasts the announcement of the brackets and the teams that have made it in the tournament. For those teams waiting on a bid, Selection Show Sunday might as well be the equivalent of Judgment Day. As a member of women’s lacrosse, I have witnessed the anticipation that each senior faces on Selection Show Sunday. The obvious question: will I get to continue playing the sport I love, or will my career be over? But there is also the underlying question: will I get to walk across the graduation stage and receive my diploma?
For the past three years women’s lacrosse held their own graduation.
University Relations
“I was extremely nervous going into Selection Show Sunday, more nervous than the previous year, because I didn’t want to be done playing lacrosse. I felt like we had a lot more to get done and was worried our time would get cut short,” said Emily Mott, class of 2017. Mott’s undergraduate commencement was on May 13 – the same day as the first round of the NCAA tournament where her team was scheduled to play Meredith College. “I wasn’t too upset about missing graduation, but it was weird seeing all our classmates have events and plans that whole week leading up to graduation. I was happy that we were still playing though,” Mott said. Although Mott was not able to attend the large commencement, the athletic department put on a smaller graduation ceremony for those athletes that had game conflicts. Families, teammates, and coaches gathered in the Anderson lobby to honor those seniors and their academic accomplishments. “I think you always assume that you will be at your college graduation and once you realize you aren’t going to be there or participate in all the events leading up to it with your classmates - it is a little weird, but I would not trade missing graduation for lacrosse for the world,” Mott said. Katherine Lambert, who graduated in 2018, was able to attend her undergraduate commencement. Her team received a first round bid that otherwise would have interfered with graduation. “You only get the chance to graduate
from college once, so I really wanted to walk in mine. I was the first grandchild to graduate college, so I really wanted my grandmother to have the chance to witness that,” Lambert said. It is a privilege to be given a chance to compete in the NCAA tournament, but - at what cost? For 12 years leading up to college and 4 more spent earning my degree, I have worked incredibly hard in the classroom. But, I have also worked incredibly hard on the field. “It was one of the most memorable weekends of my life graduating on Saturday, then playing in the NCAA tournament Sunday,” said Lambert. “It was so special to see my whole team and coaches lined up on campus as we walked into the ceremony, it made the ceremony ten times more special seeing them there.” Whether or not I will be able to attend the undergraduate commencement comes down to pure luck. With 64 teams participating in the tournament, the NCAA could not possibly avoid all the graduations. Graduation is the culmination of my college years and something that will be remembered for years to come. Should I not have the opportunity to attend, I hope my fellow classmates will enjoy it for me and realize that not everyone has the privilege to walk across that stage on Ball Circle. As our spring lacrosse season rolls around, graduation will most certainly be at the back of my mind, but winning will be at the forefront.
9
NEWS
POLICE BEAT Students and faculty weigh in on VA Senate poll MEAGHAN MCINTYRE & KATE SELTZER News Editors
Vandalism On Wednesday, September 19 at 12:27 p.m., a bulletin board was vandalized in Virginia Hall. This case is pending.
Between Tuesday, September 25 at midnight and Wednesday, September 26 at 10:50 a.m., a vehicle was vandalized at the Eagle Landing parking deck. This case is still pending.
Between Tuesday, September 25 at 8 p.m. and Wednesday, September 26 at 4:42 p.m., a vehicle was vandalized at the William St. Parking lot. This case is pending.
Petit Larceny On Thursday, September 20 at 12:56 a.m., bamboo trees were stolen and there were issues of underage alcohol possession. The trees were originally located at an address on Powhatan St, and were then taken through campus and to Randolph Hall.The trees were recovered, the victim declined prosecution, and two administrative referrals and two Honor Council referrals were issued.
KATIE HIPPLE Staff Writer
Incumbent Senator Tim Kaine is holding a strong lead over challenger Corey Stewart, a UMW poll conducted by survey company SSRS earlier this month reports. Senator Kaine has had a long run in Virginia politics. According Biography. com, he graduated from Harvard Law in 1983 and was elected to serve in the Senate in 2012. Kaine was elected to the Virginia gubernatorial seat in 2015. Then in 2016, he was chosen as Hillary Clinton’s running mate for the presidential election. His challenger, Corey Stewart, has served on the Prince William County Board of Supervisors for four terms. During the 2016 presidential campaign, Stewart served as head of President Trump’s Virginia campaign. In 2017, Stewart narrowly lost the Virginia governorship primary to Ed Gillespie by 1.2 percent. Now he is stepping back into the political arena to challenge Senator Kaine. SSRS is a survey company. Between
Tim Kaine is leading Corey Stewart according to a UMW poll.
Tuesday, Sept. 4 and Sunday, Sept. 9, the company called 801 adults living in the state of Virginia. The survey was conducted in only English. Various UMW students and staff voiced their opinions about the poll and its results. “As a whole, the UMW statewide survey suggests that 2018 is looking
-Dr. Stephen Farnsworth
On Saturday, September 22 between midnight and 3 a.m., an incident of sexual battery occurred at Sunken Road. This case is still pending.
Underage Possession On Sunday, September 30 at 1:45 a.m., there was an incident of underage alcohol possession at Eagle Landing. One administrative referral was issued.
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a lot like 2017,” said political science professor Stephen Farnsworth. “President Trump remains unpopular in Virginia, and that is bad news for Republican incumbents running in swing districts in the state. Voters show a strong preference for Tim Kaine, that Democratic Senator who is running for reelection, which means Republican
“Voters show a strong preference for Tim Kaine, that Democratic Senator who is running for reelection, which means Republican nominee Corey Stewart is not likely to offer much help to Republican congressional candidates.”
Sexual Battery
On Sunday, September 30 at approximately 5:04 a.m. there was an incident of underage alcohol possession at Eagle Landing. Two administrative referrals were issued.
Creative Commons
Students voice their opinions about the current political climate as incumbent Tim Kaine and his opponent Corey Stewart continue to campaign. Creative Commons
nominee Corey Stewart is not likely to offer much help to Republican congressional candidates.” Some students feel that voters will consider candidates opinions on national and local matters, including their views of the current administration in the White House. “I know that from what I have heard around campus, a lot of people agree with [Kaine] because he is against Trump, and not many are for Trump around here,” said senior studio art major Chrystal Knapp. “I think young voters we have a voice however I know that we do not speak up enough or take polls seriously.” Others feel that experience will play a role in influencing voters. “I think Tim Kaine will win simply because he is the incumbent. I don’t think enough people, old or young, vote in the state and local elections,” said freshman Mason Schultz. Justin Binns, a junior history major commented, “I think [the poll] is good for the democratic party and I would expect it to be closer at the polling date, but I would expect the democrats to have a clear advantage.” He later added, “I would think if more young voters don’t come out this year and this next presidential election I can’t see when they ever will again with Trump in office.” According to Elections.Virginia. gov, the deadline to register to vote is Oct. 15, so there is still time. The last day to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 30 by 5 p.m.
Thursday, October 4, 2018
NEWS
UMW prepares to host First District Congressional Debate at Dodd Auditorium
KENNY MCDoNELL Staff Writer
Sitting Republican Congressman Rob Wittman of Westmoreland County and Democratic challenger Vangie Williams of King George are set to battle it out in a 1st District congressional debate to be held at University of Mary Washington. The debate is set for Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. in the Digital Auditorium. Political science professor Dr. Stephen Farnsworth will serve as moderator. The debate is intended to give UMW students and community members the opportunity to see and interact with the candidates first hand. Students will be able to write down questions they would like the candidates to answer on a card before
There is really no substitute for this.” Farnsworth also expects President Trump’s name to come up some in the debate, since his name has dominated the news for both parties. Farnsworth said he expects for there to be a larger turnout at this debate than in previous years. “A lot of people seem to be really interested in politics this year,” he said. This is the first debate between Vangie Williams and Rob Wittman. There will be a second debate between them in the Hampton Roads area. UMW has hosted the 1st District Congressional debates for several years now. Farnsworth has moderated the majority of them. According to him, the debate will begin with a two minute opening statement from each candidate. The order will be determined by a coin
Sitting Republican Congressman Rob Wittman will be one of the participants in this October’s First District Congressional Debate. Creative Commons
As stated on the “Vangie Williams for Congress” website, Williams is a working mother of six with professional experience totaling 30 years. She currently works at a major company that does government contracting. She says that her experience working for a government contracting company will allow her to “hit the ground running” if she gets elected. She stands for stricter
Democrat Vangie Williams will be going up against Wittman at the debate.
the debate starts. If their question is picked, Farnsworth will read the question to the candidates. Farnsworth said that there will be a variety of topics covered at the debate, ranging from local, to national, to international topics. Farnsworth also said in an interview that “debates are a great time for the candidates to stand in contrast. Voters will get a sense of how informed they are and their stances.
toss prior to the debate. There will also be a two minute closing statement, in reverse order of the opening statements. For each question, the candidate who receives the question will have two minutes to answer, where the other candidate will have one minute to respond. After this, the first candidate who received the question, will have thirty seconds for rebuttal if they wish.
UMW is scheduled to host the First District Congressional Debate in late October.
Thursday, October 4, 2018
Creative Commons
a proponent of tax breaks for military families, and reforming the VA to ensure better healthcare for veterans. She says that since she is a woman of color, she would represent the first district extremely well. She also said at the District Democratic primary that the impeachment of Donald Trump is “necessary.” Rob Wittman was elected to represent the first district back in 2007.
“Debates are a great time for the candidates to stand in contrast. Voters will get a sense of how informed they are and their stances. There is really no substitute for this.” -Dr. Stephen Farnsworth gun laws, women’s body autonomy, and amnesty and citizenship to illegal immigrants. She also is an outspoken supporter of active duty military, veterans, and military families. She is
Fredericksburg.com
He was re-elected for his fifth term in 2016 and is running against Williams for his sixth term. Per Wittman’s “for congress” website, Wittman has over 20 years of experience working in different levels of government. Wittman is also a well-known advocate for service men and women. Wittman has a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. Wittman wants to continue working on his goals of upholding the constitution, preventing government overreach, reforming healthcare, working on Virginia’s infrastructure, and growing Virginia’s economy. The Richmond Times Dispatch stated that Williams faces an “uphill battle” trying take Wittman’s seat, who has an advantage as the incumbent. Williams is also disadvantaged in terms of funding. According to a recent report released by ballotpedia, Wittman has an excess of million dollars in campaign funds, while Williams had just under $30,000. Wittman said in an interview with the Richmond Times Dispatch that he looks forward to a “fair, civil discussion” between the two in Dodd Auditorium in October.
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SPORTS
Editor: Jack Hagn | blueandgray.sports@gmail.com
UMW men’s rugby wins important conference game Photos by Jesse Hernandez, Rugby Manager
UMW pushes in a defensive scrum against Gerogetown.
Aidan Gallagher kicks for extra points after a try.
Mother’s Rugby went to Georgetown University for one of the toughest games of the season. They were undefeated in their conference and had just lost a tough out-of-conference game to Navy last week. Because of the Navy game, Mother’s Rugby had many key players injured and benched for the Georgetown game. Matt Gordon, Mattson Beuche, Michael Sacks, Jordan Sacks, Aaron Bensink, Wyatt Priddy, Colin Grosh, and Bradley Nicholls were all injured. The game was close and Mother’s Rugby only took the advantage near the end. Mother’s Rugby won coming out 47-28, staying undefeated in conference.
Adam Warner runs down field with the ball.
A double tackle by Adam Warner and Seamus Brennan.
Adam Thompson pushes through Georgetown defenders.
UMW has a team huddle before kickoff.
Club Sports Scoreboard Club Softball Sep. 29 @ Longwood University Tournament (1-1) Thursday, October 4, 2018
Club Women's Soccer Oct. 6 @ University of Lynchburg TBA
Club Women's Volleyball Oct. 6 vs. (Freshmen Play Day) 12