The Flat Hat March 22

SPORTS >> PAGE 8

VARIETY >> PAGE 6

Director of track and field Stephen Walsh and his squad host 15-team meet this weekend.

Students, faculty to present independently organized TED event March 30.

Tribe Invitational underway

Vol. 102, Iss. 42 | Friday, March 22, 2013

College prepares for TEDX

The Flat Hat The Twice-Weekly Student Newspaper

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of The College of William and Mary

STUDENT ASSEMBLY

Closed season for SA elections Chase

Koontz

34.7%

&

2013 voter participation about

decrease from 2012 election

Mel

Presidential percentage breakdown:

Alim

Koontz & Alim

BY BAILEY KIRKPATRICK // FLAT HAT ASSOC. NEWS EDITOR With 1,270 votes, Chase Koontz ’14 and Mel Alim ’14 became Student Assembly president and vice president for the 2013-14 academic year.

“It hasn’t even sunk in yet,” Alim said. “But this will be a great year, and I’m excited to see all the new ideas and things we can accomplish with student input and the new website.

This is our opportunity to connect with the brightest and most passionate people on campus.”

Koontz and Alim won the election with 45 percent of the vote. Runners-up Stacey LaRiviere ’14 and Alicia Moore ’14 fell 495 votes behind the victors, taking 27 percent of the vote. Dylan Frendt ’14 and Courtney Cox ’14 took 17 percent, and John Woo ’14 and Griffin Stevens ’14 received 9 percent.

Voter turnout for the presidential election was 34.7 percent, about a 2 percent decrease from the 2012 elections. While unsure if it set BENOIT MATHIEU / THE FLAT HAT

2%

them apart, Koontz said his and Alim’s campaign strategy and the support they received from friends made the experience better than they could have imagined.

“I think the fact that we are both experienced and not experienced in student government and were really approachable helped us,” Alim said. “I also think our ideas of trying to include graduate students and international students more appealed to a lot of people.”

During campaigning, the pair received help and support from friends who worked to increase the reach of their campaign and provide innovative campaign strategies. Both Koontz and Alim credit their friends for their success in this year’s campaign and in reaching out to students.

“Strategy is not our strong suit, but we utilized the connections we have and built on that through our friends,” Koontz said. “Everything that went into this election and the reason behind our win is our friends, and it’s been

27% LaRiviere & Moore Frendt & Cox

9%

17%

Woo & Stevens

Class voting percentages Class of 2014 Class of 2015 Class of 2016

See ELECTION page 3

STUDENT ASSEMBLY

47%

45.71% 44.92% 46.29%

GREEK LIFE

Graduate students raise concerns over SA budget decisions Pi Kappa Alpha grants early Representatives speak on isolated role on campus, discuss increased integration with SA

BY CLAIRE GILLESPIE FLAT HAT ASSOC. NEWS EDITOR

When graduate student representatives from the College of William and Mary’s Arts and Science Departments attended the Student Assembly senate’s meeting Tuesday, they were not only protesting a $6,000 budget request cut for their annual Colloquia and Graduate Research Symposium — ­ they were protesting their overall

position on campus.

“As a graduate student in the arts and sciences it can feel like we’re a little bit invisible at times,” Kerry Casey ’07 MPP ’13 said. “Yet we’re hard to find because the time we spend here is entirely devoted to the academics. Events, like the Colloquia that [the SA] didn’t fund or the Graduate Research Symposium — that has funding cuts — are the most important things the school has to offer us.”

HAYLEY TYMESON / THE FLAT HAT

Graduate students came en masse to speak against the SA senate in Tuesday’s meeting.

Index News Insight News News Opinions Variety Variety Sports

Today’s Weather 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Inside OPINIONS

The Graduate Student Association asked for $7,500 for the GRS and $1,700 for the Colloquia.

After the budget passed through the hands of the Executive Appropriations Committee, SA president and senate finance committee, the GSA received $3,106 for the GRS and nothing for the Colloquia. By comparison, in 2011-12, the GSA received $7,570, and in 2012-13, the GSA received $7,920. For the 2013-14 academic year, the GSA will receive a total of $3,656.

GSA treasurer Ellen Chapman Ph.D. ’16 emphasized the general confusion about the budget process was different than previous years.

“The speed of that turnaround was pretty extreme, and the fact we weren’t given time at our leisure to review other types of funding organizations had received was really inappropriate and out of line with what had happened during previous years,” Chapman said.

The appeals meetings were scheduled less than 36 hours after Chapman received the final deadline. In addition, Chapman was not given complete access to the budget in order to compare the GSA’s funding to other organizations. “[The] Secretary of the Senate Finance and Budget Committee at our budget appeal made a point of asking his first question regarding how many people attend the event … stressing See BUDGET page 3

The precarious state of online privacy Online communication is increasing, but online security isn’t. Staying vigilant is key. page 8

Sunny High 53, Low 32

alumni status to senior class Group paid fines for hazing incident

BY KATHERINE CHIGLINSKY FLAT HAT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The Gamma chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity granted alumni status to its seniors early this year and immediately initiated the fall new member class in a ceremony last semester under the guidance of former PIKA international president Anderson Morse ’76, following an incident of hazing December 6.

The investigation surrounding the hazing incident ended in January and the fraternity lost its spot in the new fraternity complex in February.

“The Chapter has educational conditions placed upon them by both the International Fraternity and University in hopes of helping the Chapter move in a positive direction,” Communications Director of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity Justin True said in an email.

The chapter will remain on probation until the end of spring semester and lost their social privileges until March 31. Under national’s guidance, the group will undergo Greek leadership programming. At the College of William and Mary, the chapter faces a $500 fine that will go toward hazing prevention and remains under review for their eligibility to participate in rush.

“I believe the current leadership is working diligently to put the chapter on the right track for the future,” Director of Student Leadership Development Anne Arseneau ’89 M.Ed. ’92 said. “That being said ... [a culture change] is difficult to sustain.”

Inside SPORTS

Taylor’s contract not renewed

Athletic Director Terry Driscoll announced Tuesday that women’s basketball head coach Debbie Taylor will not return for the 2014 season. page 8

newsinsight “ WHAT’S NEW AT FLATHATNEWS.COM

The Flat Hat | Friday, March 22, 2013 | Page 2

THE BUZZ

“

ONLINE TODAY

News Editor Veronique Barbour News Editor Annie Curran fhnews@gmail.com

For an event like [Convocation] to not actively welcome graduate students, it’s disheartening for us as a population as well.”

— Jaclyn Petruzzelli M.P.P. ’13 on campus attitudes towards graduate students

BEYOND THE ‘BURG

ELECTION

COVERAGE

CHECK OUT THE ELECTION NIGHT INTERVIEW WITH SA PRESIDENT-ELECT CHASE KOONTZ ’14 AND VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT MEL ALIM ’14.

Flat Hat Online Editor Benming Zhang ’16 sat down with Student Assembly President-elect Chase Koontz ’14 and Vice President-elect Mel Alim ’14 last night to discuss their reactions to their victory. Koontz and Alim shared their ideas to update the website, and their excitement to sit down with outgoing President Curt Mills ’13 and outgoing Vice President Melanie Levine ’13 to discuss their new roles as leaders of the SA.

A THOUSAND WORDS

COURTESY PHOTO / POST-GAZETTE.COM

Students at Columbia University have grown accustomed to Nutella crepes and now have the option of eating the hazelnut spread at their dining halls.

MIT officials under fire from activist’s supporters

HAYLEY TYMESON / THE FLAT HAT

Nine Windham Campbell Prizes awarded

A Huffington Post article reported that officials at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have faced a slew of threats following the suicide of Internet activist Aaron Swartz.

Swartz, who committed suicide in January, was on trial for allegedly stealing millions of scholarly journal articles from JSTOR while using MIT’s computer network. Those who supported Swartz claim the impending trial contributed to his death. This barrage of harassment and threats is the result of MIT officials’ refusal to support a petition that might have helped Swartz stay out of prison. MIT officials also gave details of Swartz’s activity to prosecutors to help them build their case.

A New York Times article reports that Yale University announced the inaugural winners of the Windham Campbell Prizes. These prestigious literary prizes are awarded to writers who exhibit excellence in writing fiction, nonfiction and drama. The winners will receive their prizes at a ceremony in New Haven in September.

This year, nine prizes of $150,000 were awarded. These are some of the biggest literary prizes in the world and honor writers at all stages in their careers. The large endowment for these awards comes from the estate of Donald Windham, a writer who died in May 2010, and from that of his partner, Sandy M. Campbell, who published many of Windham’s books and died in 1988.

Colgate University presents “Revolution Per Minute”

“Nutella-gate” strikes Columbia University

Colgate University’s art exhibition, entitled “Revolution Per Minute,” includes works by Chinese artists who have never displayed their art in the United States before, the New York Times reports. The installations are in the form of sound-art, which uses noise, live performances, and recorded tapes to make a connection between sounds and images. While this may seem novel to Americans, sound-art has been popular in China for several years. The exhibit’s 35 installations, which invoke political and social issues, will be dispersed across Colgate’s campus.

Columbia University students have gone nuts for Nutella, according to a New York Times article. The hazelnut spread was recently made permanently available to students in dining halls. During the first week, students burned through $2,500 worth of Nutella. The spread went faster than anticipated, Columbia’s Dining Services reported, because students were smuggling it out by the pound. Students currently consume an estimated $450 worth of Nutella weekly. In a statement issued Tuesday, Columbia dubbed the craze “Nutella-gate.”

CORRECTIONS The Flat Hat wishes to correct any facts printed incorrectly. Corrections may be submitted by e-mail to the editor of the section in which the incorrect information was printed. Requests for corrections will be accepted at any time.

CITY POLICE BEAT

Mar. 18 — Mar. 20

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Monday, Mar. 18 — An individual was arrested for simple domestic assault on Capitol Landing Road.

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Wednesday, Mar. 20 — Cases of larceny were reported on Monticello Avenue.

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NEWS IN BRIEF Bob Engs fondly remembered

School of Education ranks high

The Lemon Project created by former professor Bob Engs recently held its third annual symposium, dedicated to Engs’ memory after he passed away. The Lemon Project explores the College of William and Mary’s history with slavery and its current relationship with the African-American community. The symposium included presentations, panel discussions and a living history performance. More than 150 faculty, staff, students and alumni attended the event.

Co-chair of the Lemon Project Terry Myers opened the two-day symposium by reflecting on Engs’ contribution to the project and highlighting ideas that have developed from it.

The College’s School of Education recently leapt up 11 spots in U.S. News and World Report’s rankings; the institution is now 32nd in the nation. It is tied with Purdue University, the University of Illinois, the University of Iowa and the University of Pittsburgh. This is the school’s largest ever jump in the rankings. Another notable jump was from 48th to 39th in 2010.

Virginia McLaughlin, dean of the School of Education, expressed how pleased she is that such a small school could make the top 100. Rank is determined by peer assessments, student-faculty ratios and funding for faculty research.

Sher is spot-on with particle Physics professor Marc Sher, who has devoted his professional career to the theoretical description of the Higgs boson, was correct in his prediction of what the subatomic particle would look like. Recent analysis of the particle, which was discovered in July, verified the data related to the “God particle.” However, since there are no anomalies, there is not much to discover. Sher expressed his disappointment because now that scientists have discovered the particle, they do not know what to do with it. The media is currently seeking Sher’s explanations and commentary.

The Flat Hat

Page 3

Friday, March 22, 2013

Academics

Students drop from joint degree program Adjustments to new classes, culture, friends during two years in Scotland causes five to drop

BY ARIEL COHEN FLAT HAT STAFF WRITER

After an inaugural year of partnership, the first class of students in the College of William and Mary and St. Andrews dual degree program commented on its first year abroad. Students in the program spend two years at each institution but must spend their first year at their “home” school.

Before leaving the United States, College faculty members and St. Andrews academic advisors prepped students on how to adjust to life in Scotland.

However, some students found the transition difficult despite the preparation.

According to program advisor and English professor Colleen Kennedy, 30 students were enrolled in the program’s class of 2015 at the College. One student dropped out during the first semester and

ARIEL COHEN / THE FLAT HAT

St. Andrews University in Scotland, home to scenic landscapes, offers a different campus experience to students.

three dropped out during the second semester, with another student transferring schools. Three students have dropped out since traveling to St. Andrews, and one more student has decided to drop out at the end of this semester. One student from the class of 2016, which has an enrollment class of 20, will also drop out after this semester.

“The transition to St. A[ndrews] was a little rocky, mostly because it’s the first year of the program and there were some kinks to work out,” Susan Nelson ’15 said in an email. “A lot of it had to do with the fact that the classes I went into weren’t comparable to the corresponding classes at [the College].”

At St. Andrews, students take two or three academic “modules” as opposed to four or five courses, but both equal about 15 credits. Classes at St. Andrews are typically large lectures that include smaller discussion groups, a style not as common at the College. The university also offers a different type of social environment.

“I’d say the biggest differences I encountered were academic and social,” Nelson said. “St. Andrews is a lot more independent in that it is up to you to decide when to work and when to play. There’s no busy work forcing you to stay in the library and learn, and going out is not limited to when different organizations are throwing parties. There’s always something going on.”

Connor Kennedy ’15 dropped out of the dual degree program earlier this semester. Kennedy enrolled before attending the College her freshman year, but after spending a semester in Scotland, she decided to return to Williamsburg.

“Leaving wasn’t anything against the program; it was just a personal decision,” Kennedy said. “I didn’t want to cop out at the last minute because I wanted to try and not have the regret of not going.”

Kennedy also stated that it is hard to become

involved in campus life at either institution when your time at each is limited.

“It’s honestly difficult, but it depends how much you think about it and what degree you pick,” Kennedy said. “Not only are you going from an American setting to a university in a different country, but you are also trying to figure out life as a college freshman.

And on top of all that you’re not encouraged to switch around degrees, because there are only four options.

You have to be dedicated to one course of study when you sign into it.”

In order to enroll in the program, students must choose one of four majors: government, English, history or international relations. Upon graduation, students earn a single diploma, a Bachelor of Arts (International Honors), with the insignia of both institutions.

However, some students feel that it isn’t the academic rigor that makes the dual degree such an enriching program, but rather, it is the international experience of living in Scotland. Unfortunately, some students believe the program did not adequately prepare them for certain aspects of the Scottish transition.

“As good as the administrators were in corresponding with us and making sure we’re communicating with our academic advisors, they weren’t very good at having us communicate with other St. Andrews students; the sort of day-to-day life advice that one needs to live at a university, “ Chase Hopkins ’15 said.

The College and St. Andrews hope to continue with the program as it develops.

“It’s not perfect,” professor Kennedy said. “Where we can, we’re trying to work out the kinks. Every year is going to be a new experience, but so far I’m very pleased with the program.

WILLIAMSBURG

Law student creates food delivery website for locals OrderUp’s two employees hope to increase business sales through convenience

BY ZACH HARDY flat hat CHIEF STAFF WRITER

Think about it: How often does it rain in Williamsburg? How often do students not want to trek outdoors for food — or get dressed, for that matter?

To combat these age-old problems at the College of William and Mary,l Marshall-Wythe School of Law student Stefanie Swift J.D. ’13 launched a Williamsburg franchise of OrderUp, an online service that allows users to order food for take out or delivery.

Swift said she frequently used OrderUp as an undergraduate at Penn

State University, where the company started under a different name.

“I didn’t know about many [food] options even though I’ve lived in Williamsburg for a few years now,” Swift said. “I wanted to make a place where everything available is brought together.”

The site currently lists 13 restaurants that deliver and 17 that offer take out.

According to Swift, most restaurants deliver their own food, but OrderUp Williamsburg also acts as a third party delivery service for some locations.

Swift feels businesses could see a boost in sales by joining the website.

“We want the wanderer — someone who is hungry but doesn’t know what they want — to use OrderUp. That’s a selling point for restaurants to be listed on the site,” Swift said.

OrderUp Williamsburg currently has two employees. Lisa Kindred ’13 met Swift while working at the DOG Street Pub and joined the company as a marketing intern.

“I helped create an ongoing marketing plan,” Kindred said. “I also research events to promote and restaurants we want to partner with.

Promoting on campus and the greater Williamsburg area is also a big part of

Koontz wins by 18 percent margin Class presidents, senators, Council members elected ELECTION from page 1

amazing. They’ve been amazing.”

The duo already has ideas they plan to implement as soon as they are able to do so.

However, both Koontz and Alim agree they learned the most during the campaign through interactions with their competitors.

“All the candidates went through this together. Everyone put all their effort into campaigning, and everyone running was extremely passionate about our school,” Koontz said. “We want to build on this and just build a stronger, better Student Assembly on campus.”

While disappointed at their loss, LaRiviere and Moore voiced hope that the new president and vice president will stay true to their plans for next year.

“Whoever wins the [SA] president or vicepresidential role, I really hope that they deliver upon the promises they made in their platform, and I hope they lead the Student Assembly with passion, dedication and honor, and I wish them well for next year,” LaRiviere said.

Finishing in third place, Frendt and Cox, agreed the election was clean and positive this year with all the candidates bringing something different to the table. They’d like to see the SA improve under the leadership of Koontz and Alim next year, which Frendt and Cox believe they can accomplish through collaboration and inclusion.

“I think Chase and Mel will make sure this [lack of student inclusion] changes with the website they’ve proposed,” Frendt said. “I honestly believe they’ll be there for the student body and help make the Student Assembly accessible to everybody.”

Woo and Stevens also wished the victors the best for the next year and hope the pair

stays true to its promises.

“We wish them the best as the school’s new Student Assembly leaders, and I hope that they stick to their campaign promises and be cooperative and inclusive with the rest of the student body,” Woo said.

For class elections, Grace Martini ’14 was elected president of the class of 2014, and Philip Lavely ’14 was elected vice president for advocacy. The class of 2014’s treasurer for next year will be Brett Prestia ’14, and the class senators will be Peter Lifson ’14, Joseph Scholle ’14, William McConnell ’14 and Chandler Crenshaw ’14. The candidates for vice president of social affairs as well as secretary are not yet determined.

The class of 2015’s president is Brianna Buch ’15, who won by a 50 percent margin.

The vice president for advocacy is Carlton Smith ’15, and the vice president for social affairs is Jimmy Carey ’15. The treasurer for the class of 2015 is write-in Tyler Dunphy ’15, and the secretary is write-in Daniel Arsura ’15.

The four class senators are Colin Danly ’15, Dan Kennedy ’15 James Walker ’15 and Jimmy Zhang ’15.

For the class of 2016, Daniel Rice ’16 won the presidency, with Ace Goldstein ’16 as the vice president for advocacy and Yousif Al-Amin ’16 as vice president for social affairs. Raymond Schein ’16 and Quetzabel Benavides ’16 won the positions of treasurer and secretary, respectively. There were six different candidates for class senators, but the four elected were Daniel Ackerman ’16, Gabriel Morey ’16, Yohance Whitaker ’16 and Seth Opoku Yeboah ’16.

Flat Hat Staff Writer Beatrice Loayza, Chief Staff Writer Zach Hardy and Flat Hat Assoc.

News Editor Claire Gillespie contributed to this report.

my job ... We have tabled at Sadler and the Terrace, where we pass out fliers and koozies.”

Kindred said she gained marketing experience while working as a brand representative for Net Clarify, a service that evaluates social media accounts for offensive or inappropriate content.

Rather than majoring in marketing, Kindred is pursuing an English degree at the College.

“I think my English classes have helped me with this job,” Kindred said.

“Writing papers definitely has taught me how to organize my thoughts and think strategically. ... Formulating a

thesis and writing a marketing plan are actually pretty similar.”

Taylor Hastings J.D. ’13, another law student, also works on promotion for the company and runs its social media accounts.

Mike Crumplar ’15 praised the site’s concept and hopes it will develop further.

“It’s nice to have more options for food other than WaWa or Dominos, and the delivery service was convenient,” Crumplar said. “But I’d like to see them add more restaurants beyond the typical Italian and Chinese delivery places.”

Senate approves 2013-14 budget BUDGET from page 1

the number of undergraduate attendees — which is not and should not be a criterion for funding,” Chapman said in an email. “[C]ommunication with the committee prior to the tentative budget allocation was completely nonexistent, despite our stature as a student government organization.”

Graduate students emphasized the GRS and Colloquia serve as major networking events and are vital aspects of their academic experience. The GSA, responsible for planning these events, mainly asked for funding for food, which the SA typically does not fund except in the case of cultural events where food appears vital to the event.

“Things like food budgets, which might seem minor, are major parts of making events like the Graduate Research Symposium and Colloquia truly professional events so that when we are presenting to professors and potential employers and colleagues in our field, we don’t look like we’re just sitting around there with a bag of chips,” GSA representative Frank Fucile Ph.D. ’16 said.

Another reason the SA did not fund the Colloquia and GRS is because it was directed at graduate students and the SA typically funds events directed at the entire campus. However, GSA representatives believe there are several events directed solely at undergraduates.

“They didn’t even welcome the graduate students to campus,” Jaclyn Petruzzelli MPP ’13 said. “They welcomed all the freshmen. For an event like [Convocation] to not actively welcome graduate students, it’s disheartening for us as a population as well.”

SA members responded they are not a part of the planning of Convocation.

Additionally, GSA members stated a number of undergraduate students do attend the GRS and Colloquia. Graduate students emphasized undergraduates, especially those interested in graduate school, are welcome to attend these conferences.

“I think the thing that shocked me the most was

when the undergraduates in our program found out the funding had been cut,” Amanda Johnson M.A. ’12 Ph.D. ’16 said. “I don’t know how close other graduate students are to the undergraduate students in their program, but in anthropology, it’s a mentorship …

[Undergraduate students] come to our presentations … and a lot of them have worked on what we are talking about.”

After the GSA representatives spoke to the senate, the senate passed the proposed budget 18-3. Senate Chair Kendall Lorenzen ’15 stated she plans to write two bills this spring before her term ends later this semester. The first will alter the SA Code to allow funding for certain aspects of the GRS and Colloquia while the second will allocate funds to the GSA for their programs next year from the 2013-14 SA reserves. These reserves will be comprised of the rollover produced by various student organizations after the spring 2013 semester.

“There are stipulations in the code that don’t allow us to grant funding for certain graduate events,” Lorenzen said. “We need to make changes to the code to allow you to benefit from what you should benefit from.”

Earlier this semester, the SA recommended a $98 student activities fee to the Board of Visitors. This fee determined the $695,800 the SA worked with when developing the 2013-14 budget. Earlier this semester, Secretary of Finance Brett Prestia ’14 stated SA President Curt Mills ’13 would not approve a budget proposal that raised the student activities fee.

“The politics that are both in the senate and in the executive do not want to raise [the student activities fee] past $98 because that is the highest fee of any public school in the state of Virginia,” Prestia said during Tuesday’s meeting. “Kendall [Lorenzen] wants to write a bill to amend that, but officially we have to keep [the fee] under $98.”

The Tribe Rides Reevaluation Act passed unanimously. The Act will allocate $1,500 to the program so it can continue for the remainder of the semester. The Tribe Rides program subsidizes the cost of taxi rides for students seeking off-campus counseling services.

Page 4

Friday, March 22, 2013

City Council

Comprehensive Plan positively recommended

Students, faculty speak out on behalf of proposal, would increase housing density

By Beatrice LOAYza Flat Hat staff writer

Students, faculty and residents came out in support of the 2013 Comprehensive Plan at Wednesday’s Williamsburg City Planning Commission meeting.

Proponents argued in favor of the resulting increased economic opportunities and residential options, particularly for younger residents. The commission passed a positive recommendation for the plan.

“I don’t see much character in vacant lots and derelict buildings,” Professor and Williamsburg resident Clay Clemens ’80 said in response to claims that the increase would alter the historic and community-based character of downtown Williamsburg. “This implementation would alter [Williamsburg’s] character in a positive way.”

If passed, the plan will increase density

throughout the Williamsburg Downtown Planning Area, which includes Colonial Williamsburg, the College of William and Mary, the Municipal Center and the surrounding residential neighborhoods.

With the recommendation, the plan moved one step closer to approval.

For many of the eight downtown sub-areas, the plan will establish a uniform base density of 14 or more dwelling units per net acre to meet the designated standards for “Downtown Commercial” and “Mixed Use” land use. According to the plan, this is designed to encourage downtown residential growth and create greater opportunities for local businesses outside of tourism.

Clemens went on to say that the plan’s modest density increases would better the community by increasing housing options.

The College’s Student Assembly also sent

representatives in support of the plan. The students touted the plan’s ability to enhance Williamsburg’s residential appeal for undergraduates and graduates alike and expressed no concerns about the plan turning downtown Williamsburg into a crowded, urban area.

“We don’t believe [the plan] will lead to massive changes,” Undersecretary of Public Affairs to Williamsburg Scott Caravello ’15 said in a speech to the commission. “Downtown will retain its size and character but with more opportunities for student and multi-family dwellings that will enhance the vibrancy of the area.”

Margaret Schwenzfeier ’14 presented a letter signed by 21 students endorsing the implementation of the plan. The letter echoed sentiments that the zoning and density adjustments are modest and will serve to make the downtown area more attractive,

in addition to providing more business and job opportunities to stimulate the area’s economy.

The recommendation was not made without opposition. Residents, particularly those who would be affected by the increase, voiced concern with the plan. Several residents of Crispus Attucks neighborhood on Harriet Tubman Drive voiced concern with the density increase, stating that it would create a more business-oriented downtown Williamsburg with more construction, streets and traffic.

Residents fear that if the plan is passed, their backyards, often areas like the field behind Blayton Building, will be replaced with new businesses.

The plan will continue in the approval process with the Planning Commission’s positive recommendation and may see more debate at the April City Council meetings.

COMMENCEMENT

College begins search for next commencement speaker Mueller selected to speak due to relationship with Chancellor Gates, will not receive speaking fee

By Katherine Chiglinksy Flat Hat Editor-in-chief

Provost Michael Halleran gathered with ten members of the Honorary Degrees Advisory Committee Wednesday afternoon. The topic at hand? Next year’s Commencement speaker.

About a year before commencement exercises, Halleran compiles a list of potential speakers for the ceremony comprised of names suggested by both the committee and a group of students selected by Student Affairs.

Traditionally, the list of names includes prominent alumni or people who have a direct relationship with someone at the College of William and Mary.

“One of those things we ask is ‘Is there a connection?’” Halleran said. “It’s not a requisite or a requirement, it just makes it easier.”

FBI Director Robert Mueller was selected as the speaker for the 2013 Commencement Ceremony.

The connection between Mueller and Chancellor Robert Gates ’65 helped the College secure him as the speaker.

“This year we were very thankful that the Chancellor had a relationship with Director Mueller and agreed to reach out to him on behalf of the College,” Director of University Relations Brian Whitson said in an e-mail. “We were also very fortunate that Director Mueller is available.”

After the Provost compiles the list, he sent it to College President Taylor Reveley and Rector of the Board of Visitors Jeffrey Trammell ’73 for the final decision.

But things don’t always go smoothly.

“Sometimes you go down alleys that don’t quite work out,” Halleran said.

The College provides commencement speakers with honorary degrees yet pays no speaking fee, which forces the College to rely on direct relationships with the school to attract speakers. The College does cover commencement speakers’ transportation and lodging costs.

The College is one of many Virginia schools that do not provide speaking fees. U.Va. does not pay speaking fees or provide honorary degrees.

“A good many of the big name speakers expect an honorary degree and a hefty fee,” Chair of the Commencement and Convocations Subcommittee at U.Va. Alexander Gilliam said. “It means our commencement speakers are a U.Va. family thing — usually alumni, friends or parents.”

Former Senator Jim Webb will deliver U.Va.’s commencement speech this year, and Stephen Colbert will be the keynote speaker at U.Va.’s valediction ceremony.

The university relied on the fact Colbert’s wife, Evelyn McGee Colbert, graduated from U.Va. in 1985.

As the committee meets to discuss plans for next year’s speaker, Halleran noted which key questions the group

keeps in mind.

“What is it that you want in a commencement speaker?” Halleran said. “Do you want someone who’s going to give an inspiring talk? Do you want someone with a high marquee value? Do you want someone with a connection to the College?”

Student Assembly President Curt Mills ’13 serves on the Honorary Degrees Advisory Committee and stressed the difficulty of gauging the success of a speaker.

“It’s a combination of the buzz the person creates and the speech that person can deliver,” Mills said. “It’s a difficult balance and you can’t fully evaluate it until it’s done.”

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opinions

Opinions Editor Zachary Frank Assoc. Opinions Editor Matt Camarda fhopinions@gmail.com

The Flat Hat | Friday, March 22, 2013 | Page 5

Staff Editorial

SA: Grads matter A

Keep the College autonomous The Flat Hat

The political puppeteering directing the course of American public universities seems to be falling out of favor, especially in the wake of the University of Virginia’s presidential hire-fire-rehire quandary. The bureaucracy governing public universities is a mess. Boards of Visitors are in governors’ back pockets. They dangle money in front of university administrators and watch them struggle to maintain quality despite fluctuating (usually declining) resources.

This paints a bleak picture of the public university system, but it’s not all bad. In all likelihood, everyone involved with Virginia’s public universities, from Governor Bob McDonnell to College President Taylor Reveley, is doing their utmost to further the academic mission of state institutions. But what happens when money — or lack thereof — conflicts with this mission? In other words, what happens right about now?

Over the past decade, funding for state and locally supported public universities in the United States dropped precipitously. As reported by the Delta Cost Project, state and local funding per student for research universities dropped by 24 percent between 2000 and 2010. This reduction of public funds certainly was not offset by a surge in private donations; if anything, the 2008 recession was detrimental to those as well. So what did administrators and the BOVs decide to do? A recent survey by “Inside Higher Ed” indicates that 71 percent of university “business officers” favored a net tuition increase to compensate for decreased revenue. The College of William and Mary increased tuition by 3.3 percent for the 2012-2013 school year. The national average is worse: Tuition rose 4.8 percent for public colleges for the same academic year.

It would be easy to blame the governor. It would be easy

“

“

William Plews-Ogan

to throw the BOV under the bus. It would be easy to sarcastically utter the popular phrase, “Thanks, Obama” under our breaths. But what really seems to be the issue at this point is the macro-management in Virginia’s public university system. What happened at U.Va. in June is a perfect example of the faults in the system. In her statement indicting President Teresa Sullivan for poor outlook on U.Va.’s management, head of the BOV Helen E. Dragas cited 10 objections, almost all of which involved spending and funding concerns in the declining economy.

A New York Times article noted the “almost generic” statement by Dragas “would have applied to nearly every public university in the nation.” Therefore, the infamous U.Va. saga could have happened to any school, including ours.

McDonnell did not condemn Dragas’ actions in firing President Sullivan — in fact he re-appointed her to the BOV. McDonnell also appointed the 17 members of the College’s BOV, who have the autonomy and collective power to control the very funding allocations and major administrative decisions that got Sullivan in trouble. President Reveley has the know-how, academic prowess and insider’s perspective to look out for the good of the comprehensive undergraduate experience, but when funding runs dry or Virginia elects a new governor, Reveley is not necessarily calling the shots.

I have faith that, if faced with a reckless attempt by our BOV to oust President Reveley a la U.Va. 2012, we as a Tribe family would respond in favor of our school’s, and our President’s, continued service and integrity. The bright future of our school is contingent not upon the hands that grant us money, but the hands that feed us the knowledge and skills to become proud alumni of this fine institution. Thus it is our responsibility to advocate for the governance of our institution from within, and to stand up against any abuse of financial power from without. It is our administration, our professors and our students that make our school great, not the BOV or the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Email William Plews-Ogan at wmplewsogan@email. wm.edu.

The infamous U.Va saga could have happened to any school, including ours.

The staff editorial represents the opinion of The Flat Hat. The editorial board, which is elected by The Flat Hat’s section editors and executive staff, consists of Abby Boyle, Matt Camarda, Katherine Chiglinsky, Meredith Ramey and Ellen Wexler. The Flat Hat welcomes submissions to the Opinions section. Limit letters to 250 words and columns to 650 words. Letters, columns, graphics and cartoons reflect the view of the author only. Email submissions to fhopinions@gmail.com.

Staff Editorial

NUMBERS

BY THE

By Patricia Radich, Flat Hat Graphic Designer

t last Tuesday’s Student Assembly senate meeting, we saw something worth noting: What is normally a sea of empty chairs became a crowd of protesting graduate students. They excoriated the SA for cutting funding to the Graduate Research Symposium from the requested $7,500 down to $3,106 and for refusing to fund the annual Colloquia for which $1,700 was requested. While both of these programs mainly help graduate students, it is important to remember graduate students are members of this campus too, and their presence allows us to call the College of William and Mary a university. We applaud their efforts to advocate for themselves and implore the SA to find a way to fund these activities.

In a time when student apathy is a major concern, to see students — especially those who often go unseen because they have little extra time outside of their academics — come together to protest something left out of the budget is encouraging. While better communication between the Graduate Student Association and the SA could have prevented the protest from even being necessary, perhaps it will force the two bodies to recognize the need to improve their efforts on behalf of graduate students.

The SA rationalized cutting funding for these activities by stating that the money was for food, and food is not essential unless it is for a cultural event. We beg to differ — quality food maintains the sophistication and professionalism needed for graduate students to make a good impression.

Additionally, the SA claimed to cut funding to the graduate programs because it did not want to raise the student activity fee past $98, as SA President Curt Mills ’13 has noted that it is supposedly the highest of any public college or university in Virginia. We appreciate the SA’s consideration for students’ pocketbooks, but it should also keep in mind that graduate students pay this fee as well and should reap the same benefits as undergraduates. Forcing them to pay the same fee and then cutting money to the few services they get in return is unfair and insulting. If limited funds force the SA to favor undergraduates over graduates, then they should raise more funds. The SA raised the student activity fee by $3 last year with little objection from the students. Why not raise it by $2 this year? That could raise more than enough money to cover the costs of the GSR and the Colloquia. And this isn’t like tuition: Students get a say in how their money is spent as they elect representatives to the SA, and the candidates have to convince us they will incorporate student opinion.

The SA must recognize the importance of our graduate students and find a way to fund the GSR and Colloquia. We hope Senate Chair Kendall Lorenzen ’15, who expressed support in passing such a bill, follows through with this plan.

Funding requested for the GSR:

$7,500 Funding requested for Colloquia:

$1,700

Funding the GSR received:

$3,106

Funding the Colloquia received:

$0

Graphic by zachary frank and ellen wexler

Communication is changing, but does our privacy have to?

Emily Kelley

Flat Hat opinions columnist

We put a lot of faith in the notion that anything saved online behind a username-password combination is safe from the public. Locking it up with a six-to-12 character password makes it “mine,” doesn’t it? We think of our personal documents and emails as private possessions on par with wallets and keys, but the truth is the lines of ownership and access to these things are blurrier than we like to think.

Take as an example the publicity on the Harvard cheating incident last spring, when 70 Harvard students were suspended for allegedly cheating on a take-home exam. Remember that? The problem is you shouldn’t have ever known about it, but internal emails

which were supposedly confidential were leaked to the media, attracting national attention.

The incident was thrown back into the spotlight when, earlier this week, Harvard officials admitted they responded to the information leak by secretly accessing the email accounts of 16 resident deans. That’s where issues of privacy begin to get sticky.

Harvard officials have issued assurances that these were extenuating (and also legal) measures taken to secure the privacy of the school’s employees and students. Even so, their ironic breech of privacy made in the name of reinforcing school security has prompted a great deal of backlash.

Since the administration was operating completely within its legal rights, it seems public indignation is rooted in something else — in fear sparked by a glimpse at the true nature of our online privacy, which is hard to protect, harder to fight for and impossible to recapture once lost.

The Internet isn’t exactly new, but the ethical implications of its use are still pretty murky.

For the most part, college students do not have to worry about or deal with draconian invasions of privacy.

The worst invasions of privacy college students generally face are often lighthearted in nature, such as the occasional Facebook statuschange by a friend, or, more eerily, the personalized banner ads that are created based on browsing history. But imagine if the contents of your emails, texts and anonymous posts were plastered for the world to see. We’re more vulnerable to this possibility than we like to admit.

I may sound a bit like a conspiracy theorist, or at least like a mother warning her pre-teen daughter against sexting, but prudence is an important idea to keep in mind as we get more comfortable expressing ourselves electronically.

Nobody’s going to be diligent

enough to read the small print of every website accessed, app downloaded, and terms of services agreed to. What we can do is treat anything we post on the screen as accessible by all. We need to remind ourselves emails aren’t

like wallets; they can be stolen more easily, with just cause, and possibly without your knowledge. And once it’s out there, it’s out.

Email Emily Kelley at emkelley@ email.wm.edu.

Graphic by Lindsay Wade / the Flat hat

variety

x

Variety Editor Abby Boyle Variety Editor Áine Cain flathat.variety@gmail.com

The Flat Hat

| Friday, March 22, 2013 | Page 6

Convention sweeps the College

Students, faculty put together TEDx conference “You Sonn, however, will not use either in her nonprofit organization fact that it’s independently organized, as the “x” were probably presentation. She explained that the event’s format devoted to asking at the end of TEDx indicates.

“While we are overseeing it all, this TEDx event also does not allow for much communication the world’s leading steered benignly away thinkers, doers at William and Mary has been all planned by between speakers and members of the audience from things at school when and inventors to William and Mary students and faculty as well,” during the presentations.

“You don’t interact with the audience. We kind showcase their Kielarowski said. you were a kid, things you liked, According to co-curator of the event Anna of perform it,” Sonn said. groundbreaking Another speaker, sociology Professor David Mahalak ’12, the event planning began in the fall ideas. on the grounds that you would The results of 2012. “Ginger Ambler was key to ensuring we’d Aday, is going to be presenting on the topic of include a be set up for success, and then we also picked up “Owning Change: Community, Knowledge, and never get a job doing that. Is that variety of a remarkable group of student leaders to set up Development.” right? Don’t do music, you’re not go- talks such as and serve as chairs on our steering committee,” “My topic is social change and the role students and faculty members can play in promoting “The Power Mahalak said. ing to be a musician; don’t do art, The speakers were selected through a grueling knowledge-based efforts to reduce inequality, of Introverts”

by Susan Cain, process, which involved narrowing down a list of injustice and disparity,” Aday said. you won’t be an artist. Benign Unlike Sonn, this is Aday’s first time speaking at “The History of 50 possible speakers to only nine. a TEDx event. Also, he will not attempt to present “Speakers were asked to describe what their talk Our World in 18 advice — now, profoundly Minutes” by David would be about. Then a committee comprised of his views on social change for 15 minutes without mistaken.”

Christian and “Your students and faculty selected the final speakers,” guidance — instead, he will use PowerPoint to Brain is More Than a Bag of Chemicals” by David Anderson. These ideas stretch from science to history to sociology and even to economics.

If there’s a subject worthy of discussion, then TED has probably covered it. Even Bill Gates has made a few appearances at events, talking about innovations in energy use and the nature of education in the United States. TED posts all of the talks for public viewing on www.ted.com.

TED Publicity Chair Bailey Kielarowski ’13, who is responsible for the promotion of the event around campus, described the organization that made it all possible.

“TED is an organization whose goal is to promote ideas worth spreading,” Kielarowski said. “They cover any number of disciplines, from mathematics to physics to humanities, you name it.”

What makes TEDx a regular TED event is the

“School Kills Creativity” with Sir Ken Robinson, the most-watched TED talk to date

“Historically innovative.”

BY PATRICIA RADICH THE FLAT HAT

“Historically innovative.”

That is the almost paradoxical theme of TEDx’s event at the College of William and Mary, set to happen in Brinkley Commons in Alan B. Miller Hall March 30 at 5 p.m. The event will feature nine live speakers affiliated with the College who will each have 15 minutes to present their ideas before an audience of over 100 people.

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design — three topics that have expanded to include numerous disciplines since TED’s conception over 26 years ago. Once a four-day conference in California, TED is now a large

Mahalak said.

All nine speeches will approach the theme from different perspectives, expanding on such subjects as “Storytelling in a Digital World,” “Using Crowd Sourcing Technology to Change the Way We Save Lives” and “The Importance and Societal Benefits of Educating Women.”

The presenters, both professors and students, have their own stories to tell. William R. Kenan, Jr., Distinguished Professor of Humanities Tamara Sonn, for example, has collaborated with TED in the past and will be presenting on the topic of “Myths and Religions” at the event. Her exhibition will focus on misperceptions about religion that she said can likely be corrected through scholarly study.

“It takes real skill to be able to present the material in an engaging and meaningful way for people to get the point of it,” Sonn said. “Some people do PowerPoints. Some people bring props or that kind of thing.”

illustrate and emphasize key points.

Sonn noted bringing the TED forum to the college level will provide a unique opportunity for both participants and students.

“People wait in lines for years to get invited to attend a conference,” Sonn said. “TED talks are designed to demonstrate the importance of topics that many people might otherwise not have a chance to explore.”

Kielarowski looks forward to seeing the event unfold, explaining how she views TEDx as a representation of the College itself.

“It might sound like a bit of a paradox, but we thought it really encapsulates what William and Mary is known for, and that’s the history of innovative thinking,” Kielarowski said. “We have been really appreciative of all the interest and enthusiasm from the campus so far, and hopefully we’re just really working to not only make the next event worthy of the TED name, but the William and Mary name as well.”

The most-watched TED talks to date “On the morning of the hemorrhage I could not walk, talk, read, write or recall any of my life. I essentially became an infant in a woman’s body.”

“Today, we’ve only explored about 3 percent of what’s out there in the ocean.. we find more life... and diversity and density than the tropical rainforest..we don’t know much about this planet at all. ” “Underwater Astonishments” with David Gallo COURTESY PHOTO / IMAGES.ED.COM

“Stroke Of Insight” with Jill Bolte Taylor

“The most interesting thing about this particular technology is that you can carry your digital world with you wherever you go.

You can start using any surface, any wall around you, as an interface.”

“Sixth Sense Technology” with Pranav Mistry and Pattie Maes COURTESY PHOTO / CULTUREPUSH.ORG

COURTESY PHOTO / CHI2009.ORG

“What drives you in your life today? Not 10 years ago. Or are you running the same pattern?

I believe that the invisible force of internal drive is the most important thing in the world.“

“Why We Do What We Do” with Tony Robbins COURTESY PHOTO / FACEBOOK.COM

TED began as a conference in California but has since become a large nonprofit organization. The speakers of the most-watched talks have discussed topics including exploring the world, the creative process and consciously experiencing a stroke.

CONFUSION CORNER

Flyers, Facebook photos, failures: the aftermath of an SA election

Advice for the losers, words of caution for the winners of this year’s campaign season

Ellie Kaufman CONFUSION CORNER COLUMNIST

It’s the day after elections. Student Assembly campaign flyers fall from clipboards across campus, fluttering away in the still-too-cold-for-March-22 breeze. Who will emerge victorious?

Walking across campus like they own the place because they now do (or at least they control student funding).

Who will retreat into hiding — and by hiding I mean wearing a paper bag on their heads because it is impossible to hide on this campus — or change their profile pictures back and pretend like it all never happened? (“I ran for SA? Nah, that was just a thing I decided to do as a joke. See if I could win.”) Well you couldn’t, and now you will read our articles about the winners for the

next year to see what they do with their newfound (albeit in actuality, very limited) power.

But as you re-watch YouTube campaign videos, reminiscing about the most stressful 11 days of your undergraduate career, don’t forget the good times. It wasn’t all in vain.

Remember making sure you and your running mate were positioned in the most idyllic place on campus for your campaign photo? Remember commissioning anyone you consider a friend into appearing in your campaign videos? Remember asking them to make creative statuses, to tweet about you, to change their profile pictures and cover photos to your much more photogenic and schoolspirited pictures? It really was all worth it, even if the enemy is now in charge.

Enemy — I’m sorry, I mean “friend I have worked with in four different organizations together over the past three years.” We’re all friends here.

Speaking of friends — winners and losers alike — take a moment to thank yours on this day after the

end of the world. Many people put themselves out there for you, laughing in your videos, taking pictures with whiteboard signs, and sending out annoying emails on your behalf. While we are on the subject, make sure you thank the individuals who endorsed you. No, I’m not just talking about the clubs or organizations who said you had their support. I’m talking about the individuals who felt they had enough influence over this 6,000 person campus to personally endorse a ticket. I [insert name] endorse [insert candidate] because I personally feel these platforms differ so drastically that if I don’t give out my personal stamp of approval, I will not be able to live with myself. Make sure you thank them; they really sacrificed themselves for you.

To the winners — that late night dining option, big time concert (but really, who are we kidding, you can never top the Dalai Lama) or other monumental change you promised during your campaign — now you have a year to make it happen. And if you

don’t, I can promise you the rest of the school will notice. No pressure, right?

To the losers — your website modifications, equally useful dining option suggestions and equally impossible campaign promises will now only exist in the .org website you made over spring break outlining your platform. I’m sorry; that’s just the way the game is played. If you aren’t satisfied, you can always try to start a

GRAPHIC BY LIZZIE DABBS / THE FLAT HAT

coup from within the student body, getting one organization on board at a time and eventually having an all-out war on the Sunken Garden. But that’s just a suggestion I plan on submitting to the new even-more-transparent SA that has just been elected.

Ellie Kaufman is a Confusion Corner columnist and won’t miss the barrage of election-related Facebook posts.

7campus Friday, March 22, 2013

The Flat Hat

Page 7

comes to

Exeter professor highlights the historical implications of James Bond’s legacy

BY ELLIE KAUFMAN FLAT HAT SENIOR STAFF WRITER

To evaluate British history in the last 50 years, one doesn’t have to look much farther than the United Kingdom’s most popular secret agent, according to University of Exeter history professor Jeremy Black.

B l a c k visited t h e College of William and Mary March 18 to give a lecture on the politics of James Bond. This famous fictional spy debuted in Ian F l e m i n g ’s 1953 novel “Casino Royale” and has since appeared in countless books, films, comics and video games.

The event was held at the School of Education with undergraduates, graduate students, professors and members of the Williamsburg community in attendance.

Black is the author of over 100 books, many of which focus on eighteenth century British politics and

international relations. His book “The Politics of James Bond” was published in 2001.

Black discussed Bond in the context of British political history over the past 50 years, summarizing the novels and their transformation into one of the highest-grossing film franchises in the world.

“What Fleming was essentially saying in the novels is there is a moral universe, there is a moral purpose; that purpose is the need to defend these values,” Black said. “At the time, the need to believe that there was some kind of moral purpose was a strong one.”

Fleming, the author of the original Bond series, began writing the novels in the 1950s. Thus, the content of these novels reflects British society in a post-World War II world.

“Britain at that stage — the economy was bust, people were poor,” Black said. “To actually have a secret agent that turns up and does exciting things — there is an air of opulence there.”

Black discussed the transformation of the novels into films, beginning in the 1950s and continuing to the release of “Skyfall” a few months ago.

“James Bond has been watched by more than half the world’s viewing public. Since at least 15 years ago, he is probably a more influential or important figure who presents an idea of Britishness, accurate or not, than Churchill in the last 50 years.”

Sarah Martin ’13 attended the lecture for her senior seminar in government geostrategic thought.

“We cover history pre-World War I and then on, so a lot of the stuff was relevant as far as history went to the scope of our class,” Martin said. “I thought it was really interesting because it wasn’t just about British history, but he incorporated a lot of the elements that I think would appeal to a broader audience.”

David Alpert ’13 thought Black highlighted an interesting discrepancy between the 1950s Britain represented in the novels and the historical realities of the country during that time.

“I was intrigued by how very different austere, post-war British life was from the flashy stories Fleming was telling,” Alpert said. “I found it interesting that Fleming became depressed after Britain lost her empire.”

While the novels and films are most commonly seen as entertainment, Black believes their popularity reveals an important and often overlooked role of the series.

“The novels and the films are not designed for academics and intellectuals.

They are designed to provide a clear narrative structure about a fight between good and evil, and they do so to brilliant effect,” Black said. “At present moment the financial success of ‘Skyfall’ suggests that they will be doing so for at least another generation.”

COURTESY PHOTO / CAWORKSITE.COM

Discussing the mental health stigma on campus If you walk around campus on any given day and listen to the various conversations that different students are having, chances are that some of them will deal with some form of stress. Stress is no foreign concept to the students here at the College of William and Mary, and the College’s chapter of Active Minds sets out to remove the stigma against discussions of mental health on campus. The group puts on events that are intended to encourage conversations about mental health and how it affects us all.

“We don’t all have a mental illness, but we all have mental health,” President of Active Minds Ashlea Morgan ’13 said, quoting the organization’s national president.

Active Minds hosted an event Wednesday called “Debunking the Myths of Mental Health on Campus.” The program intended to provide a forum for an honest and open conversation about mental health and to clear up some of the common misconceptions that surround the topic at the College.

The event included students with personal connections to mental health issues, as well as Felicia Brown-Anderson from the College Counseling Center and Senior Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Health Promotion Donna Haygood-Jackson.

The moderators of the event, Morgan and Vice President Becca Kassablan ’13, read the panel various questions that highlighted myths or misconceptions about mental health in addition to more personal questions. The students on the panel discussed their own experiences with mental health and encouraged the audience to feel comfortable asking questions and voicing concerns surrounding mental health and how it is addressed on campus.

Several questions focused on how to deal

with the backlash people may receive from friends and family after deciding to seek help for their mental health problems. The panel responded that students should seek support from the Counseling Center and the dean’s office when this type of backlash occurs because they can help students explain mental health issues to parents, family or friends. They added that gaining support from and talking to someone who understands what you may be going through can help encourage the notion that it is okay to seek help.

“

“

BY CHELSEA PITTMAN THE FLAT HAT

I think at William and Mary, we have a culture that embraces stress and anxiety.

— HOPE member Mary Beth Case ’15

Other questions focused on College professors’ levels of awareness of students’ anxiety, stress and general mental health.

The panel mentioned that there are workshops specifically aimed at teaching professors how to deal with and understand the stress their students may be under.

The workshops are also aimed at teaching professors that it is advisable to reach out and ask if a student is doing okay and to offer them resources in case they need or want to seek help.

Additionally, students asked whether reaching out to the Counseling Center or dean’s office about thoughts of suicide automatically cause one to be assessed and “medically withdrawn” from school. The answer was no; everyone who walks into the Counseling Center for this reason does not get “kicked out.” The counselors recognize that suicidal behavior ranges from thoughts to plans to attempts. Each case is assessed individually, and since safety trumps all

other considerations, a great deal of care is devoted to every student’s unique situation.

Jamar Jones ’13 said that he thinks that more students should be open to taking advantage of the resources that the College offers to students dealing with mental health issues.

“We have to do more to really connect with people,” Jones said. “I think people are aware of it, but it may not be touching them as much as it should.”

Mary Beth Case ’15, a member of HOPE, emphasized that there are a wide variety of mental health resources on campus for students at the College, including the Counseling Center’s website and phone services, meditation sessions and appointments with counselors themselves.

She added that she thinks the College’s climate can be conducive to stress, which can sometimes lead to even bigger problems.

“I think at William and Mary, we have a culture that embraces stress and anxiety,” Case said. “A member of HOPE coined the term ‘brag-plaining’ … There’s a weird sort of pride attached to having a lot to do and being stressed out.”

Kassablan ’13 said she hopes that the stigma surrounding mental health will continue to dissipate on campus.

“As more time passes, [my] perspective becomes richer,” Kassablan said.

Case said she hopes that mental health will become part of a larger discussion of campus issues.

“I think it needs to be taken out of the dark, [become] something that people feel comfortable talking about,” Case said. “Like if you would go to the Health Center to say you have a cold, you would go to the Counseling Center to say you’re struggling with depression. There shouldn’t be a shame with telling people that.”

Flat Hat Variety Editor Abby Boyle contributed to this article.

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The Flat Hat | Friday, March 22, 2013 | Page 8

Time for Change

Taylor’s mismanagement left Driscoll with limited choices

Jared Foretek Flat Hat STAFF WRITER

COURTESY PHOTO / MONSTERPHOTO.PHOTOSHELTER.COM

Say what you will, but Debbie Taylor was one of a kind.

In an age when coach-speak is a first language even at William and Mary, the former women’s basketball head coach broke the mold with brutal honesty.

There was never a dull moment with Tribe women’s basketball, and ultimately that was her undoing.

Coaches at the College are always fighting an uphill battle with limited funding and an apathetic fan base, so we can forgive some of her 146-265 overall record and dismal 73-175 record in conference play.

But, Taylor also had an uncanny ability to get in her own way. Conflicts with her best players were almost as constant as the losses.

Memories of her disputes with star forward Tiffany Benson were still fresh when she routinely butted heads with guard Taysha Pye, the school’s second-leading all-time scorer and a bench player for most of her 201112 senior season.

Back in the mid-aughts, guard Kyle DeHaven took home CAA Rookie of the Year for the Tribe in 2004 and CAA Defensive Player of the Year in 2005 before bolting for in-conference rival Delaware after her sophomore year.

The insubordination went back well beyond this author’s purview, so take it from Daily Press sportswriter Dave Fairbank. In 2006, amidst Taylor’s first winning season since taking over for the 1999-00 season, Fairbank wrote, “Injuries and player defections conspired to make each season a sort of sadistic ‘Groundhog Day’. Taylor’s best players always seemed to be on the shelf for weeks, if not entire seasons. Promising careers never got out of the gate.”

Back in 2006, this was already a habit.

With little inside knowledge of what motivated all of the feuding, we can only speculate. But if you had looked over at her on the sideline during almost any game this season, more often than not you found her face fixed with a scowl, directed squarely at her team.

Rarely did she vent her frustration officials, leaving spectators wondering if she preferred fighting with her players rather than fighting for them.

But, despite all of the disputes and underperformance, it was an almost annual ritual for Taylor to make wildly optimistic pre-season claims about her team. Each year they got bolder and bolder, and by this season, she was calling the 2012-13 squad the best in school history. Taylor was either a poor evaluator of her squad’s talent or simply incapable of squeezing productivity out of it.

When this supposedly talented bunch of four senior starters won just eight games (only

College announces head coach Debbie Taylor’s contract won’t be renewed

BY CHRIS WEBER FLAT HAT SPORTS EDITOR William and Mary announced it will not renew women’s basketball head coach Debbie Taylor’s contract for the upcoming season. Taylor coached the Tribe to an 8-22 overall record with a 6-12 ledger in the Colonial Athletic Association.

Athletics Director Terry Driscoll did not specify a timetable for Taylor’s replacement but announced the start of a national search for a

new coach.

“I want to thank Debbie Taylor for all her contributions to the program for the past 14 seasons,” Driscoll said in a press release. “She was always a first-class representative of her program and the College of William and Mary. I sincerely wish her well as she explores other career opportunities.”

Taylor exits her 14-year tenure with a 146-265 overall record, 73-175 in the conference. Taylor was named the 2006 CAA Coach of the Year.

Entering the 2012-13 season, Taylor had lauded her squad.

“I expect this to be the best team William and Mary has ever had on the women’s side,” Taylor said in November. “This is the best lineup of talent this program has ever produced.”

After struggling to an 8-22 season, the Tribe lost to Drexel 65-31 in the first round of the CAA tournament.

The College’s decision to not renew Taylor’s contract comes four days after the loss to Drexel.

seven against Division I competition) and suffered a 34-point blowout in the first round of the conference tournament this year, it became impossible to defend Taylor. Everyone stayed healthy all season, leaving nowhere to look to but the coach. Frankly, it’s been hard to defend Taylor for a while now; the legitimate accomplishments of her tenure are so few and far between.

After her team went just 3-26 in the 2010-11 campaign, it seemed Taylor was still around simply because she was an alumna and Athletic Director Terry Driscoll always had a fairly apathetic attitude towards coaching changes.

And yes, while it’s great that Tribe players consistently made the CAA All-Academic team, it’s also hard to expect anything less from a school like the College playing in the Colonial Athletic Association.

However, through it all, Taylor remained a good, positive and refreshingly honest person.

Whereas football head coach Jimmye Laycock has an almost Belichikian way of saying so much and so little at the same time, Taylor never gave you the run-around and always told it like it was.

Cordial and accommodating with fans and the media, she was a long-time advocate for women’s athletics at the College. Combining this with her touted recruiting ability, she almost seemed better fit for an administrative position.

But as she stood helplessly watching Drexel dominate her team in the first-round matchup last week, her scowl seemed to fade, replaced by a look of resignation.

It was clear to anyone watching that Taylor had lost control of her team. And when that happens, changes need to be made.

“

She was always a first-class representative of her program and the College of William and Mary. I sincerely wish her well as she explores other career opportunities.

”

—Athletic Director Terry Driscoll

TRACK AND FIELD

College hosts Tribe Invitational to start outdoor season Zable Stadium, Stimson Throwing Events Area set to host 15-teams in weekend competition

BY CHRIS WEBER FLAT HAT SPORTS EDITOR Despite coordinating a 15-team meet at Zable Stadium and the Stimson Throwing Events Area in William and Mary’s first outdoor meet of the year, the Tribe Invitational, director of track and field Stephen Walsh’s attention will be split between Williamsburg, Virginia and Bydgoszcz, Poland.

While the rest of the College competes in Williamsburg, freshman long distance runner Emily Stites will lead the junior women of Team USA at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships overseas.

“Emily is over in Poland right now, we’re going to be focusing our attention on both sides and hope Emily can go over and represent the world,” Walsh said. “That’s going to be very exciting. We got people in Poland and people here.”

“It’s a great opportunity for someone of her caliber to go over there and run against the nation’s best and see what she can do,” Walsh said.

Stateside, Walsh expects the weekend

meet will help the College jump-start the outdoor track and field season.

“Expectations over the weekend ­— just to get the outdoor season kicked off. This is the first outdoors meet for us,” Walsh said.

“We’ve been training and finished up the indoor season and now we’re going to be opening up some kids … this is to get the rust off.”

The Tribe Invitational hosts 15 collegiate programs as well as individual entrants.

Each event will showcase different levels of experience and talent. For Tribe athletes, the extent of competition depends on the particular athlete’s goals for the season.

“We’ll have multiple different layers of competition out there, so everyone is going to be trying to do something different. Some are running two or three events and training through this, for some people this might be their outdoor meet to try and make the squad to go to the conference meet,” Walsh said. “The farther they’re going in the season, the more this is a type of workout meet.”

The three-day meet kicks off Friday with the hammer throw and 10,000 meter run.

Walsh expects strong competition from the Stimson Throwing Events Area. Senior Natalie Baird highlights the Tribe’s field squad, looking to perform well in both the hammer toss and discus throw.

“They’ve been working very hard over there. A couple of those guys are coming into their marquee meet,” Walsh said.

“We’re really looking for them to open up and get the outdoor season going.”

Outside the throwing area, Zable will host everything from hurdles to pole vault to distance events. The Tribe will look to use the competition as a means to set benchmarks for the remainder of the outdoor season, all the while keeping an ear open for news from Poland.

“Besides the William and Mary athletes, there’s going to be some pretty good athletes coming here this weekend, so it’ll be a great meet to come over and see the nation’s best go at it,” Walsh said.

The events begin early this afternoon with the hammer toss, followed by the 10,000 meter run later that evening. Barring any weather delay, the meet will continue Saturday and Sunday.

COURTESY PHOTO / TRIBE ATHLETICS

The javelin portion of the Tribe Invitational looks to bring out strong competition.