The University of Maryland’s Independent Student Newspaper
T H U R S DAY, O C T O B E R 2 2 , 2 015
Mayor Fellows meets with SGA, encourages voting City saw low student, overall turnout in 2013
The Nov. 3 election is the first time in more than 20 years that every district race and the mayoral race are contested. “There’s always a lot of reasons By Talia Richman to turn out to the polls on College @talirichman Park’s election day, but especially Senior staff writer this year because you really have Mayor Andy Fellows encouraged a choice on your council members members of the SGA to vote in the and your mayor,” said Fellows, upcoming city elections during the Mayor ANDY FELLOWS addresses the Student Government Association yesterday in an effort to increase group’s Wednesday night meeting. See MAYOR, Page 3 voter turnout. After three terms, Fellows has decided not to seek re-election. tom hausman/the diamondback
By Carly Kempler and Eleanor Mueller @CarlyKempler, @eleanor_mueller Staff writers “We can stop this” were the final words members of the Greek life community saw after viewing The Hunting Ground, a documentary on how universities handle sexual misconduct.
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16 vie for City Council spots in most contested race in decades
SGA urges facilities dept to release U pesticides data
By Eleanor Mueller and Talia Richman @eleanor_mueller, @talirichman Senior staff writers
Unanimous resolution asks for public access THE STudent Government Association meets on Oct. 21 to vote on a resolution asking Facilities Management to provide information on potentially harmful pesticides used on the campus. tom hausman/the diamondback
By Katishi Maake @KatishiMaake Staff writer The SGA unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday asking Facilities Management to publish information about potentially harmful pesticides used on campus lawns. The final vote was 20-0 with no abstentions. The resolution urges Facilities Management to provide a publicly accessible, user-friendly online database of pesticide and fertilizer application on the campus, including the date and location of application, the site or crop treated, the stock and
volume of pesticide and its active ingredient. The Student Government Association’s sustainability committee drafted the legislation after member Errin Saunders attended a hearing in Montgomery County regarding a bill that restricts the use of lawn-care pesticides on both public and private property. “If I asked [Facilities Management] specifically about a product, they would give me the answer to the best of their knowledge, but when I tried to look up it up online ... the details were not available,” said Saunders, a
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junior environmental science and policy major. SGA Sustainability Director Maya Spaur said Facilities Management places warning labels in areas where they use the pesticides, but they often go unnoticed. “The ones that we are using probably don’t have major public health concerns,” Spaur said. “I would doubt they would use pesticides that are very toxic to skin, but they do have some health See Pesticides, Page 3
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toward Greek students, said Roy, a senior communication and theatre major. “Knowing it was an issue in our community, we wanted to tailor it so it was a safe space for Greeks to come and learn about a very big issue in their community without feeling like there were external pressures,” Roy said. PH A appl ied for t he screen i ng a f ter members of the executive board watched the film and were moved by its rawness, Roy said. “I hope everyone finds the film to be as impactful and moving and motivating as the
Greek life members attend a screening yesterday of The Hunting Ground, a film exposing how universities across the nation handle sexual misconduct on their campuses. tom hausman/the diamondback
Panhellenic Association hosts screening of film on college sexual assault
Backyard Sports Grill violated license terms
After multiple license violations by Backyard Sports Grill’s management, the College Park City Council recommended that the bar lose its license if policy transgressions continue, according to a letter to the Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners. T he P ri nce G eorge’s Cou nty Police investigated a July 31 altercation outside of Backyard Sports Grill and Slices Pizza Co. and found that the bar violated its entertainment permit by hiring a promoter and failing to hire an off-duty police officer as security. The board will hear this issue at its Nov. 18 meeting. The City Council voted at its Oct. 13 meeting to send a letter to the board that includes its support of the county police department’s revised security plan requiring two off-duty police officers to be present during any of the bar’s entertainment events. The council also stated its support for imposing a fine or other sanctions to dissuade future security lapses from occurring. “As the council, we need to take the strongest stance possible,” District 3 Councilman Robert Day said. “This is not acceptable. We need to protect our city, our citizens and students, and we can’t have environments like this that put them and our police officers in danger.” Although the Backyard Sports Grill owners could not be reached for comment, the city’s Public Service Director Bob Ryan said owners Dana and Kristi Lee requested to push back the hearing from Oct. 14 to retain counsel. College Park attorney Suellen Ferguson said the council can only recommend the punishment that should
ON COMMON GROUND More t ha n 150 f rater n ity a nd sorority members gathered last night in Hoff Theater to watch the film, which focuses on sexual assaults occurring across university campuses nationwide and how the schools’ administrations handle the matter. “Sexual assault has obviously been an issue for a long time, but in recent years it’s risen to the top of the list of things everyone is concerned about,” said Noelle Roy, the Panhellenic Association vice president of social responsibility. “This screening came from our wanting to do something to bring awareness to sexual assault on our campus and in our community, because it’s such a big issue.” PH A ma rketed the event exclusively
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spot. Fellows has endorsed Wojahn for the seat. In each district, at least one incumbent is campaigning to hold on to one of two available seats. Sixteen This year’s elections mark the first candidates are running for eight seats. time in more than 20 years that every The elections will take place on College Park district and the mayoral Nov. 3 between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. races are contested. Residents of Districts 1 and 4 may vote Mayor Andy Fellows is stepping at Davis Hall (9217 51st Ave.), while down after six years in office, and two those living in Districts 2 and 3 may council members — District 4 Coun- vote at City Hall (4500 Knox Rd.). cilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem Denise For a rundown of all the candiMitchell and District 1 Councilman dates and their platforms, turn to Patrick Wojahn — are vying for his pages 6 and 7.