The
Weekly
The University of Mary Washington Student Newspaper Serving the community since 1922
Ringer
VOLUME 95 | ISSUE 15
FEBRUARY 3, 2022
As in-person dining returns, Top of the UC faces continuing staff shortages and food supply chain issues
person dining, regular plates and utensils have returned to the Top of the UC after disposable ones were used last semester due to staff shortages, as reported in The Weekly Ringer.
jean mondoro Senior Writer Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, UMW’s dining policies have been ever-changing and, at times, confusing to students. While UMW Dining continues to face supply chain issues and staff shortages, new changes, like the reinstatement of in-person dining and the return of reusable plates and utensils at the Top of the UC, have been met favorably by many students.
“I thoroughly enjoy being able to eat in a place other than where I sleep and work so overall, I am very happy with the new policy.” -Garrett Welch Since Jan. 24, every campus dining location switched from grab-and-go only dining to offering both in-person and takeout options. The grab-and-go only option, which began in the fall 2020 semester to limit the spread of COVID-19 between students, was lifted during the fall 2021 semester and reinstated for the beginning of spring 2022. “All of us in University Dining are excited that we are now able to offer
“All of us in University Dining are excited that we are now able to offer everyone both dine-in and take-out service options in all of our campus restaurants!” -David Schneider
After facing food and staff shortages, university dining is able to offer dine-in options and some students are excited to be back in person. Kenya Carter / The Weekly Ringer
everyone both dine-in and take-out service options in all of our campus restaurants!” said David Schneider, the general manager of University Dining, in an email. “The majority of what we do is ‘back to normal.’” However, Schneider said that UMW Dining is still facing “large supply chain challenges.” “Because of that, our guests may experience last minute menu changes or shortage of menu items,” he said. “Our chefs and culinary team work very hard to keep those at a minimum and have done
an excellent job navigating through the interruptions.” On top of supply chain issues, UMW Dining is also short staffed, and Schneider emphasized the need for student employees. “We have labor shortages that impose additional strain and stress on the teams,” said Schneider. “As we hire new team members, we will continue to expand our dining offerings. With that, we need more student workers.” Along with the reinstatement of in-
For students utilizing the grab-andgo option, disposable take-out boxes may be used for the time being, but could become unavailable due to supply chain limitations of the ongoing pandemic. Another take-out option is a program titled “Choose to Reuse,” which provides reusable containers for students who consistently take their meals to-go. When asked about the changes in the UC, freshman Kathleen De Marcellus commented on the return of reusable plates and silverware. “I think that’s an improvement,” she said. The return of the in-person dining option has been well-received by many students.
SEE DINING PAGE 2
Ukraine-Russia conflict sparks discussion in political science and international relations classes GRACE SchUMACHER Senior Writer Jason Davidson, professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington, is watching the escalating tension between Russia and Ukraine. So are his students. Within the political science and international affairs department, the goal is to provide students with a broad knowledge of the contemporary international system as well as to examine international affairs from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. As an instructor of the courses Introduction to International Relations and Security and Conflict, Davidson sees the rapidly changing developments as a topic for class discussion. “Perhaps the two most important prior events,” said Davidson, “were the 2008 Bucharest Declaration, wherein NATO members made a public statement that Ukraine would join NATO someday, and Russia’s 2014 military intervention in Ukraine and annexation of Crimea.” Acknowledging the history between these two countries is vital to understanding these current events. A key player in this conflict is Russia’s President, Vladimir V. Putin, who has a long record of military activism.
INSIDE THE
RINGER
News | 2
Campus dining returns to in-person eating option.
“He is looking to increase Russia’s prestige and reestablish a sphere of influence in Eastern Europe, as well as reinforce his domestic political position,” said Davidson. This past month, Russia has steadily increased its military presence along the Ukrainian border, bolstering fears of an attack. Close to 1,000 troops have been assembled, according to the New York Times, which have worked to escalate apprehensions that a repeat of the 2014 Russian invasion could occur again. The Russian government, according to an article from CNN, has also listed a series of grievances and made a series of demands, including that Ukraine never be allowed to enter the NATO alliance. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently held further diplomatic consultations in both Ukraine and Germany, according to an article from NPR. He met on Friday, Jan. 21 with the Russian foreign minister in Geneva. Meanwhile, the Biden administration said it is providing an additional $200 million in defensive military aid to the country amid increasing fears of a Russian attack. These current events also translate into Davidson’s coursework and class discussions. “I’ve discussed the crisis with students in both my Intro. to International Relations (PSCI 102) and Security and
Opinion | 3 Executive orders impose politics within schools.
Professor Jason Davidson is using the conflict as a teaching lesson to show students a real life example of International Affairs. Artem Kniaz / Unsplash
Conflict (PSCI 387) classes,” said Davidson. The students appear divided in their opinions. As a requirement of his PSCI 387 course, Davidson has his students create blog posts about the crisis. “My Intro class significantly favored U.S. military action to prevent the invasion of Ukraine,” said Davidson.
Life | 5
COVID causes students to consider early graduation.
SEE UKRAINE PAGE 2
Sports | 8
Tennis hosts first scrimmage Saturday Feb. 5.