The first day of spring has finally arrived. Flowers and trees are beginning to grow. Excitement for the warm weather blooms alongside the bright flora throughout campus walk. Anna Goodman / The Weekly Ringer
Weekly Ringer
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NYU professor gives talk on antisemitism
CLAIRE MARSHALL WATKINS Opinion Editor
On Monday, The Khatib Program in Religion and Dialogue (KPRD) hosted Avinoam Patt, Maurice Greenberg Professor of Holocaust Studies and Inaugural Director of the Center for the Study of Antisemitism at New York University, who gave a talk on Jewish American history and antisemitism.
“Antisemitism defies logical explanation, and yet we must try to understand its origins, its history in order to learn how best to respond to it and to confront it.”
- Avinoam Patt
“Antisemitism defies logical explanation, and yet we must try to understand its origins, its history in order to learn how best to respond to it and to confront it,” Patt said.
His talk, titled “The Golden Land? Antisemitism and American Jewish History, 1654 – Present,” was born from a course Patt taught called “Why the Jews? Confronting Antisemitism” at the University of
“The optimistic versus pessimistic view can be really powerful in the discussion of religion,” said Celia Golden, a junior religious studies and communication and digital studies double major and an intern for the KPRD.
“I do like to take an optimistic view on things most of the time, but I think knowing that there is more than one way you can read history, and that changes somebody’s outlook on the entire religious landscape of
The Khatib Program in Religion and Dialogue at UMW is made possible because of Reza Khatib and Georgianna Clifford Khatib, who believe in mutual respect for others’ religions. umw.edu
Connecticut, that attracted some 1,600 students when first offered. Patt now teaches a similar course at NYU, “Introduction to Antisemitism and Jewish History.”
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Bell tower logo designed by Bernadette D’Auria ‘22
“The optimistic versus pessimistic view can be really powerful in the discussion of religion.”
- Celia Golden
“As we think about this in the Jewish encounter with America, we can also think about whether it’s appropriate to look back through American history and look for Antisemitism and say, ‘do we see Antisemitism in all of these episodes and incidents that I’m going to talk about? Are they the exception, or are they the rule?’” he said.
Patt offered that there are multiple perspectives through which one can approach Jewish history and the study of antisemitism.
the United States,” Golden said. “If you’re extremely pessimistic, per se, and I’m very positive, and I don’t know that our conversation could be a bit muddled and something gets lost in translation. I feel like if someone attended that talk, there would be a lot more understanding of religious conversation in the United States.”
Patt’s talk is one of two dialogues that the KPRD will host this spring. On April 9, Jordan Denari Duffner will continue the series with her talk titled “Islamophobia: What We All Should Know (and Do) about Anti-Muslim Discrimination.”
“The two lectures are supposed to be a way of getting Mary Washington students and the community to think about anti-religious bigotry,” said Mary Beth Mathews, professor of religious studies and director of the KPRD. “Two groups that tend to get the most hatred are Jews and Muslims.”
She continued, “Mary Washington students are amazingly curious. It’s one of the things I really love about teaching here. If you know that a friend is going to the Jewish Student Association meeting, if you’re interested in tagging along or you want to know more, just ask those questions.”
The KPRD found its home at UMW in 2019 and has since hosted a variety of lectures and events to promote religious dialogue. Patt’s talk was the first exclusively on Judaism, and on antisemitism, in the program on campus.
“[Patt] is incredibly knowledgeable on the subject, one of the most knowledgeable people on the subject actually, and was willing to come all the way over here just for the religion and dialogue program and that’s a huge honor, especially on the Mary Washington campus,” Golden said.
The talk was given by Avinoam Patt, Maurice Greenberg Professor of Holocaust Studies and Inaugural Director of the Center for the Student of Antisemitism at New York University. uconn.edu
The KPRD will host two dialogues this spring about antisemitism and islamophobia. These lectures are meant to get students thinking about anti-religious bigotry. Claire Marshall Watkins / The Weekly Ringer
It’s time for a wake-up call: coffee shops that tag on an additional charge to alternative milks are tired
AYIANA ALLEN Staff Writer
Starting the day with a coffee or going to a cafe to study for an upcoming test is a common ritual for many college students. But for those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies, ordering a simple latte comes with a few extra steps—watching baristas make your drink to ensure the correct milk is used, and an even more frustrating act: an extra charge for choosing non-dairy milk.
Despite the growing popularity of plant-based alternatives, most coffee shops still add an additional charge of 50 cents to a dollar for almond or oat milk. For those who choose dairy-free options, it may be an annoyance. But to those who need alternatives because of health conditions, it feels like a punishment for something they cannot control.
“For those who choose dairy-free options, it may be an annoyance. But to those who need alternatives because of health conditions, it feels like a punishment for something they cannot control.”
- Ayiana Allen
Coffee shops claim the reason for the upcharge on plant-based milk is due to higher wholesale costs. Nondairy milks like almond or oat cost more for cafes to purchase than traditional dairy milk. Furthermore, some plant-based options require special storage, have shorter shelf lives, or are put in generally smaller packaging than traditional milk. There’s also an argument that offering a variety of milk alternatives adds more training for baristas, extra labeling and the risk of cross-contamination for those with severe allergies. However, despite these reasons, the cost of non-dairy milk has decreased significantly as the popularity and demand for these options in coffee have become more common. This makes the surcharge
feel less justified especially when they impact those with medical dietary needs. Corporations aren’t struggling; they can afford the cost of allowing all alternative milks at the same price as the default milk.
This issue of “Milk Tax” has led to two lawsuits within the past year. In one lawsuit in March 2024, Starbucks was sued for the claim that the surcharge of alternative dairy options was discriminatory and a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The company earned more than $1 billion in the U.S. from just the surcharge alone. On Nov. 7, 2024, the company ended all surcharges on all beverages customized with non-dairy milk. In another lawsuit in December 2023, Dunkin’ was sued for the higher prices for customers who cannot drink milk. However, the case was later dismissed by the court, but this year, on March 5, Dunkin’ stopped the surcharge for non-dairy milk nationwide.
UMW students are fortunate to have a Panera Bread
on campus, which does not have a surcharge for its alternative milks. The company was one of the first major chains to end its surcharge in early 2020. However, the “Milk Tax” still exists at UMW, too. For Five Coffee on campus does have this surcharge. The surcharge for an alternative milk option is 95 cents. A small latte from For Five is $6.50 with the extra surcharge that will push the price up to $7.45, 45 cents over the cost of a large hot latte with milk from For Five Coffee.
The financial impact can add up quickly. A student buying a non-dairy latte three times a week from For Five would spend nearly $11.40 a month just on the surcharge. Over a nine-month academic year that adds up to over $100. To those with medical and dietary restrictions that is extremely unfair, a punishment for factors beyond their control.
“Dietary restrictions, whether due to health conditions or allergies, deserve to be accomodated without the added cost.”
- Ayiana Allen
Some campus cafes are taking a leap by making plantbased milk the default rather than the alternative. This trend is part of a broader shift toward sustainability and inclusivity. According to an article by VegNews, universities such as the University of California, Los Angeles, and other University of California campuses, have made oat milk the default. This is an effort to be more equitable and more environmentally sustainable for students. By removing dairy milk as the default, cafes are making plant-based options normalized and more accessible to everyone to enjoy a coffee. Perhaps in the future, this will be less of a trend and the new norm.
At the end of the day, no one should have to pay extra for something beyond their control. Dietary restrictions, whether due to health conditions or allergies, deserve to be accommodated without the added cost.
For Five Coffee Roasters charges 95 cents for alternative milks.
Abbey Magnet / The Weekly Ringer
Panera offers non-dairy milks at no extra charge.
Abbey Magnet / The Weekly Ringer
New UMW biking club cycles onto students’ radar
NOAH FELLINGER Staff Writer
A new student-led biking club has emerged at the University of Mary Washington. The club aims to encourage students to use bicycles not just as a mode of transportation but also as a gateway to community engagement.
Senior historic preservation major Max Steinbaum is spearheading the initiative. He emphasizes that bikes are more than just a sport or a means of travel; they offer students financial relief from gas expenses, a safer alternative to driving and a way to connect with the broader Fredericksburg community.
Steinbaum says the idea for the club was initially inspired by local biking advocates, including former Fredericksburg Trails Alliance President Lynn Faust and area cycling coaches Jason Kilby, Todd Helpling and Oliver Harris, who expressed interest in developing a collegiate biking team.
“For different students, [biking] will serve different purposes, whether they’re just scooting around town,” Steinbaum said. “But I hope that through this club, we can build the knowledge of bikes—why isn’t my gear working, why is everything squeaking, and how can I enjoy my ride a little bit better and feel safer?”
While the club is still in its early stages, Steinbaum’s mission is clear: increase student enthusiasm and knowledge about cycling. The club welcomes all students and requires only a bike to join.
Located in a relatively pedestrian-friendly city, UMW students have easy access to various biking trails, including the nearby Canal Path, a 5K loop known for its accessibility. For those looking for more adventurous routes, the Fredericksburg Trails Alliance maintains approximately 35 miles of natural surface trails in the area, including the Quarry and Mott’s Run trail systems.
For some students, like junior business administration major Allyson Hastings, a bike could be an appealing and practical solution for getting around campus. She typically walks to class, and noted that a bike would allow her to park farther away and still reach her destination quickly. However, she admitted that cost is a significant barrier.
“I’m actually on a budget,” she said. “Because I currently don’t have a job right now, I’m trying to spend less money than I normally would. I want to buy a good bike, but I don’t want to buy a cheap one that’s bad.”
Steinbaum hopes the club can alleviate some of these concerns by partnering with local bike shops to offer student discounts. When Hastings learned that joining the club could provide a 15% to 20% discount at certain Fredericksburg bike shops, she was intrigued.
“That’s actually really interesting. I’d probably join the club if that’s the case,” she said.
Though Steinbaum and a few community members currently make up the club, he hopes to attract new members by hosting more events and rides.
The first official group ride is set for April 4, with a planned route around the Canal Path and a stop at the Quarry Trail System. Steinbaum has also been setting up biweekly tabling at the Cedric Rucker University Center to assist students with bike repairs and promote the club’s activities.
Additionally, the club plans to hold community outreach events where members will help students with bike repairs and maintenance. Hastings expressed interest in such an initiative, especially if it provided free advice or assistance.
“If they give me advice on how to fix my bike, or if they fix it for me, then yeah, I’d definitely go to that,” she said.
Some students view the bike club as an opportunity to increase the greater Fredericksburg area’s community and improve the infrastructure for bikers.
“I would be open to biking around town since biking is good exercise and it would encourage the construction of bike racks and other safety features that protect bikers in Fredericksburg,” said Joseph Gasink, an environmental science and biology double major.
Looking ahead, Steinbaum envisions the club evolving into a collegiate cycling team that competes in semi-local and regional races. However, his primary goal remains simple: to get students excited about cycling and equip them with the knowledge to ride confidently and safely.
“If you’re hesitant about getting out on a ride, I’d encourage you to come talk bikes,” Steinbaum said. “Make time for that group ride—you’ll meet a bunch of locally minded people that love riding. It’ll be a calm, relaxing, and enthusiastic no-drop ride where everyone’s got each other’s back.”
Joining the bike club is easy and can start at the Bicycle Information Station in the University Center. Photo courtesy of Noah Fellinger
Biking on campus is not only a means of cheaper transportation but allows you to connect with others. Abbey Magnet / The Weekly Ringer
Biking club organizer, Maxwell Steinbaum poses with his Schwinn bike in his dorm. Photo courtesy of Maxwell Steinbaum
TICKETS ARE $5 w/ UMW ID AT THE KLEIN THEATRE BOX OFFICE IN THE LOBBY OF DUPONT HALL (Limit TWO tickets per UMW ID)
Open in Klein Theatre April 2*19
Crime Column
Fondling
During Aug. and Sept. of 2024, there was a case of fondling at Westmoreland Hall. This case was referred to Title IX.
Dating Violence
During Nov. and Dec. of 2024, there was a case of dating violence at Virginia Hall. This case was referred to Title IX.
Sports
Mary Washington women’s tennis team falls short against Carnegie Mellon at home
YZABEL ILAO Staff Writer
On Saturday afternoon, UMW women’s tennis lost to Carnegie Mellon University by a final score of 7–0 at the Hegmann Family Tennis Courts in Fredericksburg.
“So overall, I think we played better in the match the day before, but Carnegie Mellon is the hardest team we’ll ever play in our conference. I feel like we played okay. I think we all could have played better, but we played okay.”
- Sophia Broomall
Despite the team’s loss, freshman Natalie Kim won her first set due to her focus on the court.
“I went to my match and I was at 4-1. When I am up 4-1, I usually let my guard down, and my focus goes low. So I always try my best not to do that,” said Kim. “But it always ends up happening where I lose my focus and then they end up catching up. But this first set, I kept my focus and I won the set.”
In her second set, Kim’s injuries made it challenging to win the match. Yet the pain did not stop her from having a rewarding experience playing a challenging team like Carnegie Mellon.
“It was a tough match, especially because my arm was hurting,” she said. “I had arm issues, elbow issues, but the game was really fun. We were rallying 20 balls, and it was just a really good match.”
For players like Kim, losing a tiebreak can make it difficult to keep up a positive mindset during the match.
“I lost the tiebreak. Obviously, I was really upset, but you know, this match will teach me for my future matches,” she said. “I always tell other people to have a strong mindset, especially when they’re down or they’re losing. When I was in that atmosphere, it was really hard to do that. So that’s definitely something I could work on.”
Freshman Sophia Broomall said it was tough to play games back-to-back. Before their match against Carnegie Mellon University, the Eagles played Washington and Lee University on Friday and Saturday.
“The one on Friday was a really long one, it was really physically demanding,” said Broomall. “Then we slept on it and came back the next day. I was really sore and tired for that one. Just during warm-up, we were running, and I was like, ‘Wow. Like, this is rough.’ I was not feeling good because I had a really long match the day before.”
Broomall started with a doubles match that ended with a 6–3 loss.
“We were playing a lot better towards the end,” she said. “My singles were not very good. I was very tired, and my mental was not as strong as I could have been, and so I had a lot of trouble, like trying to pick myself back up and there were a lot of distractions that were getting to me.”
Although the team was having difficulty playing against Carnegie Mellon, Broomall feels that the team still played satisfactorily. Broomall also credits her fellow teammates for making the court a positive and fun atmosphere when she was feeling off during her matches.
“I was just off rhythm and not playing great, but my teammate, Emily Tharpe, cheered so much for me, and I really liked it, and that was really fun,” said Broomal. “So overall, I think we played better in the match the day before, but Carnegie Mellon is the hardest team we’ll ever play in our conference. I feel like we played okay. I think we all could have played better, but we played okay.”
“As a team, we really try to keep the environment very spirited. Like going uphill, just trying to keep your momentum going, going into games like this.”
- Emily Tharpe
Despite not participating in a match against Carnegie Mellon players, freshman Emily Tharpe kept a spirited environment on the court for her fellow Eagles. Even though she was not on the lineup, she still cheered everybody else on.
“As a team, we really try to keep the environment very spirited. Like going uphill, just trying to keep your momentum going, going into games like this,” said Tharpe. “Carnegie Mellon is a really tough team, and they’re one of the highest ranks in the nation. So for us, you have to go in with a good mentality, like a tough mentality, that you’re here even though you might not get the exact results that you wanted.”
She continued, “It’s always worth the fight to keep going. I think in my position, just going from court to court and watching each of the games is an important thing to do. I really enjoy it and I feel like everyone’s really supportive of one another. So I think overall, the game was good. Results were pretty good, everybody fought hard.”
Currently, the UMW team is ranked #30 in the nation, with three wins and five losses. Their next game will be on the road against Christopher Newport University on March 29.
THOMAS JACKSON Sports Editor
Men’s Basketball (15-15)
Mar. 14 vs. Emory University (78-80)
Men’s Tennis (9-2)
Mar. 15 vs. Washington and Lee University (4-3)
Mar. 21 vs. Kenyon College
Women’s Tennis (3-5)
Mar. 15 vs. Carnegie Mellon University (0-7)
Mar. 22 vs. Washington College
Men’s Lacrosse (4-4)
Mar. 15 vs. Baldwin Wallace University (15-10)
Mar. 22 vs. Marymount University
Women’s Lacrosse (8-1)
Mar. 18 vs. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (20-3)
Mar. 21 @ Kenyon College
Baseball (16-5)
Mar. 18 @ Marymount University (16-7)
Mar. 22 @ Dickerson College
Softball (4-16)
Mar. 19 @ Randolph College (score) Mar. 22 vs. Gettysburg College
Men’s Rugby (4-6)
Mar. 14 @ Southern Virginia University (0-43)
Mar. 22 vs. Navy
Women’s Rugby (2-3)
Mar. 29 Mid Atlantic 7s Series Games
The Mary Washington women’s tennis team fell to Carnegie Mellon 7-0. Photo courtesy of UMW Athletics
UMW women’s tennis freshman Natalie Kim preparing to return the ball. Photo courtesy of UMW Athletics