The Flat Hat December 5 2014

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Vol. 104, Iss. 24 | Friday, December 5, 2014

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of The College of William and Mary

percent

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Survey compares students’ beliefs about religion and spirituality with campuses across the nation

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Majority worldview (Protestant, Orthodox or Roman Catholic Christian)

Measuring belief

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ELLEN WEXLER // flat hat Executive editor

iba Vohra ’16 tries to pray five times a day, but she has trouble finding a quiet space where she won’t be interrupted. Sometimes she prays in the meditation room in the Campus Center. But sometimes she is on the other side of campus, studying in the library, and she feels guilty if she doesn’t walk the five minutes it takes to get back to her dorm.

Vohra wants to learn more about her faith, but as the vice president of the Muslim Student Association at a college without a strong Muslim community, she is often considered the authority. There is no one to teach her.

For students like Vohra, maintaining a religious identity in college comes with a host of unique challenges, and for the first time, the College of William and Mary and the Student Assembly are trying to quantify what that means.

The Campus Religious and Spiritual Climate Survey compares students at the College with 13,776

students at 52 campuses across the country. The results, which were shared with The Flat Hat and will be released in full later this year, show a campus made up primarily of Christians (45.1 percent) and nonreligious students (37.7 percent). 12.8 percent of students identify as minority religions, and 4.4 percent identify as another worldview.

Based on the results, each participating college received a score in 26 categories. In 18 of those categories, the College’s scores are significantly different from the national sample.

Most of those differences are positive. Compared to other campuses, the College is more accepting of almost all religions and worldviews asked about on the survey: Muslims, Jews, Mormons, atheists and non-religious students are all accepted on campus at rates higher than the national average. For instance, 78.2 percent of students at the College report that nonreligious students are accepted on campus, compared

38

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34 percent Students at other campuses who report a high level of informal engagement with diverse peers

See RELIGION page 3

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Students at the College who report a high level of informal engagement with diverse peers

GRAPHIC BY ELLEN WEXLER / THE FLAT HAT

The visuals above were created using data from the Campus Religious and Spiritual Climate Survey.

student life

Student assembly

VOX: Voices for Planned Parenthood encourage individuals to share personal stories

percent of budget

Students gather for abortion talk Senate allocates 30 Sarah Caspari FLAT HAT chief staff writer

When Taylor Medley ’17 and her boyfriend broke up earlier this year, they didn’t just part ways after the break-up sex. Their friendship stretched back to high school, and they were still in the same friend group. Together, they and their friends had planned a cross-country

road trip for this summer. The group started in Roanoake, Va. and made their way out West.

It was around the time the group reached San Francisco that Medley started feeling “weird” — nauseous. By Idaho, she had missed her period and took a pregnancy test in a gas station bathroom. In Kansas, she called the Planned Parenthood near her home to schedule an abortion.

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“I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is a breakup sex baby-thing in me. This is terrifying,’” Medley said Wednesday at VOX: Voices for Planned Parenthood’s Speak Out! Abortion Talk.

Medley said she was overwhelmed. As vice president of VOX, she said she felt she should have been better informed. Despite her socially conservative upbringing, Medley has always been pro-choice, but never thought she personally would choose to have an abortion if she became pregnant. When the hypothetical future smiling infant with chubby cheeks became a very real “break-up sex baby-thing,” though, Medley knew she was not ready to be a mother.

As she told the story of how she had gotten pregnant and visited the Planned Parenthood clinic to receive the counseling required by Virginia state law, Medley didn’t lose composure. At one point, she had to backpedal because she had forgotten a part of her jouney in which she found out that her pregnancy was not the result of recent break-up sex like she had thought; rather, she was 12 weeks pregnant — too far along to receive a medical abortion, the non-invasive alternative in which the woman takes two

Concerns raised over $6,000 branding bill

See ABORTION page 4

See SA page 3

SARAH CASPARI / THE FLAT HAT

Emily Gardner ‘18 comforts Taylor Medley ‘17, who began crying while speaking at the VOX abortion talk.

Index News Insight News News Opinions Variety Sports

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Inside Opinions

“Fiscal responsibility” was the buzzword of the night at the Student Assembly Senate’s last meeting of the semester, as senators passed two bills allocating approximately 30 percent of the SA’s standing reserves.

Senators passed both the Beauty of Branding Act and the TedX Fundraising Act 2015 after lengthy discussions.

The Beauty of Branding Act, which allocates $6,000 toward the purchase of SA branding materials, was a contentious subject.

Several senators raised concerns because the bill did not include an itemized list of what materials would be purchased.

Student Assembly Chief of Staff Drew Wilke ’15 responded with a tentative plan for what is to be purchased. He mentioned that a vertical banner, tent, tablecloths, a horizontal banner and stickers are all potential purchases. He also noted that the Senate regularly passes bills without itemized lists.

Wilke formed the SA Branding/Marketing Committee over a month ago. The committee includes representatives from each branch of the SA to recommend branding materials. Wilke emphasized that this branding effort is not solely an executive branch effort, but an effort by the SA as a whole. He also said that he would make sure to be transparent with all of the purchases made.

“It’s not just a blank check that executive is receiving. There

Inside SPORTS

Ready for the real world?

Seniors graduating a semester early are prepared with help from the College. page 5 Mostly cloudy High 55, Low 45

Madeline Bielski FLAT HAT Assoc. news editor

College wins third consecutive

Junior guard Marlena Tremba led the way with 24 points and the Tribe defeated Radford 81-71 on the road.

The College is now 5-2. page 6

newsinsight “ Now it’s easier than ever to stay upto-date on all on-campus news.

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Following The Flat Hat?

News Editor Áine Cain News Editor Rohan Desai fhnews@gmail.com

The Flat Hat | Friday, December 5, 2014 | Page 2

THE BUZZ

It’s tough because I want to believe this new idea of God, but that would somewhat require a change in the liturgy. I’m not willing to give up the traditional liturgy.

— Jacob Robins ’16 on the religious crises students face

THE DIGITAL DAY

Professors Read Mean Reviews of Themselves

The Flat Hat

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theflatchat A THOUSAND WORDS

Sarah Perry / THE FLAT HAT

CORRECTIONS The Flat Hat wishes to correct any facts printed incorrectly.

Corrections may be submitted by email to the editor of the section in which the incorrect information was printed. Requests for corrections will be accepted at any time.

For your proscratinating pleasure, The Flat Hat presents College of William and Mary professors reading their questionable RateMyProfessors reviews.

Who says finals week has to be torturous, bitter slog with no clear resolution and nothing but desperation to greet students on the other side? To make the communal struggle a bit brighter, check out FlatHatNews.com on this weekend to see professors read mean reviews of themselves from RateMyProfessors.com. To see all other Flat Hat videos, visit YouTube. com/flat-hat-online.

CAMPUS POLICE BEAT

Dec. 1—Dec. 3

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‘STABILITAS ET FIDES’ | ESTABLISHED OCT. 3, 1911

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Monday, Dec. 1 — An juvenile was reported to have run away from New Hope Road.

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Monday, Dec. 1 — An individual was arrested for welfare fraud on Richmond Road.

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Wednesday, Dec. 3 — An individual was arrested for assault on Roland Street.

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entrepreneurship, which was Emily Stone Assoc. Variety Editor Madeline Bielski Assoc. News Editor the Quint basis of the conference, Guvernator Copy Editor Eleanor Lamb Assoc. News Editor Bobby LaRose Copy Editor Amelia Lucas Assoc. News Editor involves working with the Carter Lyon Copy Editor KJ Moran Assoc. News Editor community to Editor solve social Benoît Mathieu Copy Caroline Nutter Assoc. News Editor Allison Ramage Copy Editor Meilan Solly Assoc. News Editor issues.

The event began Meilan Solly Copy Editor Matt Camarda Assoc. Opinions Editor withRichie anThaxton address

by Building Copy Editor Annie Sadler Assoc. Opinions Editor Kat Turk Copy Editor Kaitlan Shaub Assoc. Opinions Editor Tomorrow, Inc. founder Phoebe Warren Copy Editor Max Cea Assoc. Online Editor George Srour ’05. After Amanda Williams Copy Editor Annie Curran Assoc. Online Editor Bezi Yohannes Copy Editor Julia Kott Assoc. Online Editor Srour’s speech, the attendees Dani Aron-Schiavone Cartoonist Nick Cipolla Assoc. Sports Editor broke intoCone workshop sessions Montana Cartoonist Devin Logan Assoc. Sports Editor Abby Kahler Cartoonist Jack Powers Assoc. Sports Editor where they could connect Brian Kao Cartoonist Iris Hyon Assoc. Social Media Editor withMaddy alumni mentors.

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Monday, Dec. 1 — An individual was arrested for assaulting a police officer on Scotland Street.

NEWS IN BRIEF Da Vinci coming to Williamsburg

Omohundro gains Lapidus Initiative

10 winners in ANTH 202

The Muscarelle Museum of Art will host an exhibit entitled “Leonardo da Vinci and the Idea of Beauty” in February. The exhibit will run from Feb. 21 to April 5 and will focus on the artist’s fascination with the beautiful and the ugly. The Associazone Culturale Metamorfosi in Rome, together with the Italian Embassy in Washington, D.C., is organizing this program. The exhibit will include more than 25 drawings by the Renaissance artist. It will also exhibit a recently discovered self-portrait of da Vinci at age 53, the first time this painting will be shown in the United States. The only other museum that will host this exhibit is the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Mass.

The College’s Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture recently announced its creation of the Lapidus Initiative for Excellence and Innovation in Early American Scholarship. This initiative was made possible through a $1 million endowment from Sid and Ruth Lapidus.

Sid Lapidus is an executive board member of the Institute, which was founded in 1943.

The initiative will implement outreach and innovative programming so that the Omohundro Institute can enhance scholarly communication and practices. It will also enable new projects, such as the Scholar’s Workshop, a two-week seminar over the summer. The workshop will begin in 2015.

Ten students from Sasikumar Balasundaram’s Introduction to Cultural Anthropology class recently won awards for essays in a competition hosted by the Center for Public Anthropology. Balasundaram is a visiting professor in the Department of Anthropology, and he extended his congratulations to the students. The winning students from ANTH 202 were selected from a pool of more than 4,000 competitors from over 30 schools in North America.

The winning essays span a variety of topics.

For example, students wrote about human protection and effective research, the role of government in society and the role of ethical consent in research practices.

Friday, December 5, 2014

The Flat Hat

Page 3

WILLIAMSBURG

Mountain Justice group meets at College Student Environmental Action Coalition raises awareness about Appalachian surface mining CAROLINE NUTTER FLAT HAT ASSOC. NEWS EDITOR

The Student Environmental Action Coalition brought the organization Mountain Justice to speak at the College of William and Mary Nov. 20.

Mountain Justice strives to raise awareness about the negative public health and environmental impacts of surface coal mining.

Mountain Justice works closely with SEAC as well as the College’s alternative spring break programs. Two years ago, students from the College protested outside of Williamsburg’s Bank of America, expressing anger toward the bank’s continued financial support of coal companies that use mountaintop removal as a mining technique.

Vernon Haltom, an Appalachian activist, discussed the are harmful effects of surface mining in southwest Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky, as well as the activities of Mountain Justice outside of the College.

“Over 3 million pounds of explosives are used to blow up mountains in WV every work day, over 5 million in WV and eastern KY combined, plus that of [southwest] Virginia and eastern TN,” Haltom said in an email. “That’s the explosive equivalent of over 4,000 Tomahawk missiles per day. The vast majority

is not dynamite but a mixture of ammonium nitrate and diesel fuel.”

In addition to appearing at events and raising awareness at institutions like the College, Mountain Justice raises awareness in affected communities and advocates for the Appalachian Community Health Emergency Act currently mired in Congress.

It was referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources in 2013. The act would ban mountaintop removal and fund several educational programs.

Scott Nordstrom ’15, an active member of SEAC and a participant in Mountain Justice’s alternate spring break program, discussed awareness of Mountain Justice’s mission within the College.

“They live in the same state as us, some of these people who are affected, and we have no idea that there are people who live like that,” Nordstrom said.

“It’s one out of a lot of sad, depressing things out there.”

Nordstrom acknowledged that there are various perspectives surrounding coal mining. “[The economic impact] shapes the whole debate,” he said. “[Coal mining] provides your security, your livelihood, your identity. It’s something that entire towns and communities are built around. Even the

people speaking last night: ‘My daddy was a coal miner, and so was his.’ But … it has a geological impact, an air quality impact, a water quality impact, an ecological impact, a public health impact.”

Nate Marshall ’16, who was born and raised in Appalachia, Va., has a more personal experience with mountaintop removal and coal mining.

“It’s very different than … other places in Virginia.

It’s much smaller, everything is rural,” Marshall said. “I’m surprised they have so much traction in the area. … Growing up, I never knew anyone who didn’t like coal mining, or didn’t think that’s what we needed to be doing. It’s interesting to see that there’s a diversity of thought.”

Marshall spoke about his opinion coming from and understanding Appalachian coal mining culture.

“Historically, what coal companies have done to the area is very negative,” Marshall said. “Appalachia has the highest concentration of mineral wealth in the entire world — more than the oil wealth of Saudi Arabia — and yet it remains the most impoverished area in the industrial world. … To me that seems like a flag that this savior from whom all money flows is perhaps our biggest enemy.”

Marshall acknowledged, however, that coal

mining is vitally important to Appalachia’s economy, noting that he wouldn’t have been able to attend the College without the income it provides.

“I couldn’t go to William and Mary without [coal mining],” he said. “But if the companies hadn’t forced the situation, we wouldn’t need them.”

Nonetheless, the environmental impact remains striking to Marshall the more he is exposed to different perspectives and situations.

“I feel more strongly now that it’s a negative [environmental] impact than I did before,” Marshall said. “I see how other people consider abnormal — can you imagine how people would respond if they wanted to put a quarry in Williamsburg?”

In general, Nordstrom emphasized activism at the College.

“That’s something that anyone with any social problem is faced with; maybe it’s far away — how do we affect change?” Nordstrom said. “And the number one thing is getting people educated or aware of it … and give some people the opportunity to hear about it, and get really excited about it … kind of like throwing spaghetti at a wall and seeing what sticks. You’re throwing this issue at tons of people … but there are a couple people who will take it to heart and get their hands dirty.”

Beauty of Branding Act constitutes 10 percent of SA’s reserve Sen. LaRiviere votes against bill, other senators argue it will increase student interest in SA events SA from page 1

will be full transparency in every purchase,” Wilke said. “Once we get proofs of some of these different branding items, I will definitely run the proofs by the marketing committee to get their thoughts first, so it’s not just me, [Associate Director of Student Leadership Development] Trici [Fredrick], [Student Assembly President and Vice President] Colin [Danly ’15] and Kendall [Lorenzen ’15] deciding what proof looks best.”

The cost of the bill in terms of the total budget was a major discussion point, as the Beauty of Branding Act constituted 10 percent of the SA’s reserve. Sen. James Walker ’15 pointed out that in spending a large portion of the budget now, there is a possibility that the Senate will not be as able to fund other ideas later on in the academic year.

Sen. J.C. LaRiviere ’15 explained that he did not think the spending in this bill was justified. He said he supports posters and materials that explain what services the SA provides, but he feels that the purchases Wilke proposed are not purposeful.

“I am personally just against the principle of this bill,” LaRiviere said. “I think that the Senate is a service body, and I think that the SA should work for a cause behind every dollar we spend. … I think that banners, tents and laptop stickers are an unnecessary expense. Personally, I

don’t really care if people know what we do, as long as I know we are doing good things for the community.”

Multiple senators still lauded the bill, saying they believe it will help increase student knowledge and recognition of the SA and the services they provide to students, with the ultimate hope that these materials will increase student attendance at SA-sponsored events.

Many senators also reiterated that these purchases are an investment, as these materials are going to last the SA for years to come.

The bill was passed by roll call, receiving one nay vote from LaRiviere.

The TedX Fundraising Act was the other bill discussed in new business Tuesday night. The bill will allocate a total of $13,250 from the SA reserve to go toward speaker travel and lodging, as well as general logistics for the annual TedX Conference held at the College of William and Mary.

This will be the fourth TedX Conference hosted at the College, and the conference’s size has grown each year.

This year’s conference will be held in Phi Beta Kappa Hall March 29 and will include both national and international speakers; 500 people are expected to attend.

Sen. Chase Jordan ’15, who is also President of the TedX William and Mary, was not able to attend the meeting, but he

explained that the TedX conference is an important event for the College.

“The values that TedX holds are synonymous with William and Mary’s,” Jordan said. “[These values are] the idea of holding true to what your past self was, but also looking forward and innovating. At a college, especially a liberal arts institution of this caliber, it is really about spreading ideas and facilitating conversation across disciplines to kind of create a better product for humanity at the end.”

Walker reiterated that spending money now means less money to spend later in the school year.

He pointed out that passing both

the Beauty of Branding Act and the TedX Fundraising Act meant spending approximately 30 percent of the SA’s standing reserve funds. He suggested reducing the bill’s funding to only $10,000, but other senators opposed this, arguing that the proposed funding is concrete and necessary.

Sen. Yohance Whitacker ’16 suggested that the Senate’s spending is much heavier in the fall semester and said many of the major expenses for events in the spring have already been allocated.

In addition to SA finances, TedX at the College receives funding from various administrative offices.

Senators emphasized that the TedX talks held at the College are valuable and appreciated by students. The event sold out last year.

“It’s clearly something popular for our students,” Sen. Nadia Illunga ’15 said. “I think it relates well to the culture we have at William and Mary. And the fact that we are having this again with more seats open for students, I’m sure it will be sold out again. This is something that’s becoming a well-loved tradition at our school.”

The TedX Fundraising Act ultimately passed unanimously.

The Senate will not meet again until next semester.

MADELINE BIELSKI / THE FLAT HAT

The Student Assembly Senate discussed the TedX Fundraising Act Tuesday. Sen. Nadia Ilunga ’15 noted that TedX was popular with students.

Students of different faiths deal with faith crises, lack of resources 50.2 percent of students reported high level of informal engagement with diverse peers, above national average

RELIGION from page 1

with an average of 60.3 percent at other campuses.

But for just one religious group — Evangelical Christians — the College is actually less accepting than most campuses. The survey asked students to indicate, on a scale of 1 to 5, whether they agreed that “Evangelical or Born-Again Christians are accepted on this campus.” The average answer was 3.53.

Justin Schoonmaker ’09, an Evangelical Christian pastor for a campus ministry called uLife, said that there is no institutionalized discrimination against Evangelicals, but sometimes Evangelical students feel that their religion is at odds with academia.

Their peers and professors don’t always have a nuanced understanding of their faith, he said.

“To be part of academic circles or academic groups that seem to take for granted — without questioning and without being willing to engage in dialogue — the opposite view of what Evangelical Christians hold on certain issues, I think feels threatening to them,” Schoonmaker said. “It feels unwelcoming to them.”

It can be easy, he said, for students and faculty to think of Evangelical students as having two contradictory mindsets: an “academic side,” and then an “irrational, spiritual side.”

“I don’t think that such a dichotomy exists,” he said. “We try to encourage our students to pursue both — to pursue their faith, but also to embrace scientific inquiry, because both are coming at truth from a slightly different angle.”

A spiritual crisis

But the notion that religion and rationality are at odds with each other is pervasive. When Evangelical Christians come to college, sometimes they start having doubts.

Every Wednesday night, Schoonmaker and his wife meet with students in their home. When students begin to question their faith, Schoonmaker

encourages them to talk about their doubts during these meetings.

“Students are scared of the doubting and the questioning process, and I actually think Evangelical Christianity as a whole is not good at allowing adherents of the faith to question aspects of it. … A lot of churches would be afraid to talk about what are perceived contradictions in the Bible,” he said.

Schoonmaker said that doubting is healthy and important. He is planning to lead a meeting focused on perceived contradictions in the Bible in the spring.

Jodi Fisler, Assistant to the Vice President of Student Affairs and Director of Student Affairs Planning and Assessment, said she knows that students of all faiths tend to question their religious beliefs when they enter college. Fisler helped bring the survey to the College last year and expressed hope that the results will help inform the school’s programming.

“There’s a need on some students’ parts to have a place where they can go to explore spiritual questions, and we need to think about that, because spiritual identity and spiritual development is a key part of what it means to be human,” she said. “Helping students find avenues to explore that is something that is very important for us moving forward.”

Fisler added that providing opportunities for spiritual development is especially important during college, when learning to think in different ways can “put some people into a spiritual crisis.”

Jacob Robins ’16 is in the midst of such a crisis.

Growing up, he went to synagogue with his family almost every week; now he goes to Temple Beth El, the Williamsburg synagogue, as often as he can.

But when he enrolled in a religious studies class on modern Jewish and Christian thought, he was exposed to writings by theologians that “radically changed” how he views Judaism.

“It’s tough because I want to believe this new idea

of God, but that would somewhat require a change in the liturgy,” Robins said. “I’m not willing to give up the traditional liturgy.”

Instead, Robins is trying to find a balance between the ideas he grew up with and the new ideas he’s learning in class. It is, he said, a process that will be “a life-long aspiration.”

Religious life on campus

Hannah Kohn ’15 is the SA’s secretary of diversity initiatives, but she first heard about the survey last year, when she was the SA’s undersecretary of religious affairs. Partnering with the Office of Student Affairs and the Center for Student Diversity, she led the initiative to bring the survey to campus. Now, she wants to get students talking.

“The definition of dialogue that I’ve learned after going to some trainings over the summer is listening deeply enough to be changed by what you learn,” Kohn said. “And that’s something that I really hope for on our campus. I hope that we can start listening deeply enough.”

According to the survey, students are already having a lot of conversations about religion and spirituality — at least compared with other campuses. 50.2 percent of students at the College reported a high level of “informal engagement with diverse peers,” compared with a national average of 33.9 percent.

Students at the College scored lower than the national average, however, when it came to participating in organized religious activities — joining groups like uLife or Hillel, for instance, or going to religious services on campus.

Vohra said she wishes there were more organized religious activities for Muslims on campus. She is trying to get as involved with the College’s Muslim community as she can; the problem is that there isn’t much of one.

“It’s kind of hard to engage in religious services

on campus — on this campus especially — because we don’t have a campus minister to lead prayer,” she said. “We don’t generally have structured prayers because we don’t have anyone to lead them.”

The MSA had a campus minister two years ago, but because of a miscommunication with the Center for Student Diversity, the group hasn’t had a leader since. They hope to find someone by next semester.

While someone like Robins is able to participate in Williamsburg’s Jewish community instead of campus groups like Hillel, there is no strong Muslim community in Williamsburg. The closest mosque is five miles away, Vohra said. She thinks it’s in someone’s garage.

And because the Muslim community is so small, the MSA is often asked to act as the Muslim voice in Williamsburg. A few times, for instance, they gave a lesson in Islam to the United Methodist Church’s Sunday school.

But Vohra feels uncomfortable acting as an expert on her faith.

“We don’t think we’re the best people to spread that knowledge because we’re just in college,” she said. “I still need someone who’s older than me to lead me. So if the school could help us find someone, like a campus minister, if the school could help us find a prayer or a study space — because there’s not a mosque here that can provide that for us — I think that would be really good.”

As for prospective students who want to be part of a strong Muslim community, Vohra added, the lack of resources could be a deterrent.

“Right now we’re just a club that meets in an academic building every week — but it’s all studentled, and we’re not as knowledgeable as we should be if we were to try to lead others in this faith,” she said.

“I think we do need help from the school in order to establish ourselves better so that people can see us more as a legitimate resource.”

Page 4

Friday, December 5, 2014

The Flat Hat

Student Life

Preventing infectious diseases at the College College’s administration is taking multiple steps to caution against Ebola reaching campus chris weber FLAT HAT sports editor

While the chances of contracting the Ebola virus remain minimal for most Americans, the College of William and Mary has adopted a series of preventative and reactionary measures regarding the infectious disease.

In July 2013, the school’s Emergency Management Team adopted a plan for infectious disease control procedures. The 14-member team — chaired by Vice President for Administration Anna B. Martin and staffed with individuals from an array of offices — holds responsibility for the College’s emergency preparedness. The adopted Infectious Disease Plan outlines the “framework for the University’s response to infectious diseases that present a threat to members of the campus community.”

While primarily concerned with the actions of on-campus offices and facilities, the plan lists local, state, federal and international organizations as support agencies. Most, like Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, Vasquez Riverside Doctors Hospitals and state departments, stand to serve as response-oriented facilities. Others, such as the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, function as threat-monitoring services.

Taken comprehensively, the Infectious Disease Plan aims to guide the College’s “mitigation effort and response to disease outbreaks impacting students and employees on campus, en route to campus and abroad engaged in universityaffiliated travel.” The plan emphasizes monitoring, health communications and protective measures in dealing with a variety of infectious diseases, including Ebola.

Student Health Services, the Wendy and Emery Reves Center for International Studies and William and Mary Police Department hold responsibility for monitoring information sources and determining if further action should be taken to protect those on campus. The Director of Student Health determines the necessity of informing the campus community of health-related threats.

Finally, the administration assumes responsibility for any needed protective measures. Such measures range from awareness campaigns to “travel restrictions concerning acutely-affected locations” and “interventions including iterative symptom monitoring and quarantine.”

Nick Vasquez, the William and Mary International Travel and Security Manager, is involved in disease monitoring efforts regarding the Ebola virus. Vasquez has been the point of contact for student and faculty international travel since summer.

“Currently, my tasking is to watch for all international travel to the region and get the word out to campus deans, faculty and staff that there

is a process you must go through to travel to high risk countries,” Vasquez said in an email. “We encourage travel to all parts of the world, [but] we do want to make people aware of the risks and, mostly, the overall health and safety is of utmost importance to us.”

Those wishing to travel to such high-risk countries must contact Vasquez. From there, Vasquez aims to prepare the traveler with as much knowledge of the destination as possible.

“I always try and give them a 360 view of the situation on the ground,” Vasquez said. “With my background in the federal government, I was fortunate to keep a pool of contacts and resources all over the world. When I would like to know more about a region or country, I reach out to someone that is currently in the country. The State Department also has a team of analysts that are experts in regional affairs. I reach out to them as well for country analysis.”

In the wake of the spreading threat of Ebola, the College implemented additional measures Nov. 11. Specifically, students traveling to CDC Level 3 countries now need prior approval from the Travel Warning Review Committee under the proposed Policy on Travel to CDC Warning Countries.

Currently, the CDC lists Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea as Level 3 countries. Nigeria has declared a national state of emergency in response to the Ebola virus, but holds Level 2 CDC status.

The TWRC includes the Vice Provost for International Affairs, the Director of Global Education, the University Chief Compliance

pills at home. Surgical abortion was her only option.

It wasn’t until Medley recalled being subjected to the mandated internal ultrasound that she choked up.

“I’m very bitter about having to sit through that,” she said. “I’m bitter about that and I’m very angry … because I just think it’s difficult enough feeling like you don’t have control over your life when you have these plans like, ‘I want to go to grad school,’ and ‘I want to do this,’ and then that stuff’s put on hold, and I don’t feel like [anyone] should make that any harder for you to go through.”

A law passed by former governor Bob McDonnell (R-Va.) requires every woman who seeks an abortion in Virginia to receive an ultrasound prior to the procedure. The law was meant to give each the chance to view the images of the fetus inside her. Medley’s indignation at the recollection of her ultrasound sparked a conversation at the Speak Out! event about other laws creating obstacles for abortion providers.

Naral Pro-Choice Virginia community organizer Takindra Westbrook addressed the audience about laws known as “TRAP”: Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers. Westbrook said that these laws aim to disqualify clinics from providing abortions by establishing legal barriers unrelated to health, such as setting requirements for clinics about the number of spaces in parking lots and the width of the buildings’ hallways.

“TRAP laws are just these random, arbitrary regulations that make the lives of [abortion] providers very hard and for women seeking abortions,” Westbrook said.

VOX publicity chair Jenny Rossberg ’17 said that the event was designed to give people a space to share positive reflections on abortion. She said it was a response to a recent event at the College of William and Mary in which a pro-life speaker drew from her negative memory of her own

Miller, who chairs the Sentara Ebola Task Force, said in a statement. “These two hospitals have the right kind of facilities that we can readily adapt for this purpose.”

On campus, multiple discussions regarding the Ebola virus have taken place.

A Nov. 5 discussion, hosted by United Against Inequities in Disease, included Professors Teague Camilla Buchanan, Alison Scott, Leah Shaw and Admasu Shiferaw. Most recently, the William and Mary Alumni Association hosted Patrick Flaherty ’92 and Captain Thomas Forrest, USN ’00 for an hour-long discussion on the Ebola Virus in the Commonwealth Room Monday. Flaherty currently serves as public health advisor and deputy director of HIV/STD prevention research, Thailand, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Forrest is the director of strategy, policy, programs and resources at the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command (JECC), Department of Defense.

With the Infectious Disease Plan, proposed Policy on Travel to CDC Warning Countries, and campus-affiliated discussions on the Ebola virus, UAID president Molly Teague ’15 expressed hope that the stigma attached to the virus will dissipate.

“The main thing we focus on is that even though the United States is a lot less involved, it is not any less responsible,” Teague said. “Since it affects the world, it affects us.”

COURTESY PHOTO / WM.EDU

In July 2013, the College of William and Mary’s Emergency Management Team adopted a plan for infectious disease control. The administration is continuing to monitor the virus.

VOX hosts campus talk on abortion ABORTION from page 1

Officer and Vasquez. While the proposal has yet to be approved, the administration agreed to implement the policy during the interim period.

According to Vasquez, who chairs the TWRC, no faculty, staff or students have reported nonschool sponsored travel to CDC Level 3 countries.

Vasquez did note some students who had traveled to the region surrounding Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, but none to the CDC Level 3 and Ebola-ridden countries.

Students wishing to petition for approval to travel to CDC Level 3 countries are instructed to contact Vasquez.

“Once the 30-day review period is over, we will have a link on the Reves website to petition,” Vasquez said regarding the proposed Policy on Travel to CDC Warning Countries. “It will be the same way one petitions for the State Department travel warning.”

Locally, area hospitals have equipped themselves to deal with Ebola-related illness. Both Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center and Riverside Doctors Hospital announced additional training, revamped spaces and the implementation of new practices to respond to Jordan the Ebola virus.

“Recent experience around the country points to concentration of resources and expertise as an emerging best practice,” Scott

abortion to argue for its outlaw.

“The whole movement is basically to combat the stigma surrounding abortion,” Rossberg said.

“And we just want to get people talking about it so they know this is a normal part of women’s reproductive healthcare.”

Medley’s story and the open discussion of abortion politics and ethics followed a series of written testimonies read aloud by VOX members and volunteers. They relayed the words of friends, relatives and anonymous contributors who have had abortions. Each writer concluded her statement claiming she had no regrets about her abortion.

“I love my abortion,” Medley said. “I love my doctor, who was fantastic. I love the nurses. I love my friends, who let me talk about it.”

Sarah caspari / The Flat Hat

Kyra Bell ‘17 spoke on her mother’s abortions at the event.

opinions

Opinions Editor Isabel Larroca Assoc. Opinions Editor Kaitlan Shaub fhopinions@gmail.com // @theflathat

The Flat Hat | Friday,

EDITORIAL CARTOON

December 5, 2014 | Page 5

STAFF EDITORIAL

Hello, 2015

A

Entering the real world world, but this time, we know we’ll be okay.

The College doesn’t let us get too comfortable. According to the Reves Center for International Studies, 45.7 percent of undergraduates study abroad, and I think most people will agree when I say that experience, more than any other at the College, prepares us for life beyond campus. Even if we do study abroad through a College program, chances are we won’t know our fellow travelers. It’s freshman year all over again, except this time we’re in a foreign country. Everything is new: language, food and social customs.

FLAT HAT OPINIONS COLUMNIST It was abroad that I learned the extent of my capabilities.

I could master a new language. If I got lost, I could find my When my parents said that I had to graduate early, I way again. I could navigate crises: missed flights, sketchy wanted to cry. College is advertised as the best four years of neighborhoods, the looming threat of malaria and dengue our lives — ­ afterward, it’s a downward spiral. At least so we’re fever. And most of all, traveling abroad reminded me told. that the world is a big place. It’s so easy to get trapped in Naturally, I’m terrified.

Williamsburg that sometimes we forget that fact.

In fact, I try not to think about it, even as my finals As far as preparing us for the real world goes, our preparations are interspersed with academic courses are secondary. job applications. Still, as the winter improved my writing and Colonial Williamsburg is a They’ve graduation ceremony approaches I can’t analytical skills, but only a handful far cry from Times Square. have changed me: A workshop help but wonder: Am I ready?

Honestly, I don’t know. in creative writing, for instance, We can dodge horse Looking back, I have realized that the droppings, no problem, but gave me an intimate look at the College of William and Mary has tried fears and struggles of my dodging a New York taxi is hopes, hard to prepare us for real life. peers. A class on social exclusion a skill I haven’t mastered.

Take the Units, for example: We should instilled in me a desire to fix things. see them as trial runs. If we can survive Adventure Games taught me how living in those, we’re ready for the 12-by-12 foot apartments to rappel off buildings, a very useful talent. some will call home upon landing that dream job in Lower College courses can, however, force us to master life Manhattan — although admittedly, Colonial Williamsburg skills such as time management, even though most of us is a far cry from Times Square. We can dodge horse pies, no are currently scrambling to finish term papers that were problem, but dodging a New York taxi is a skill few of us have assigned, well ... a long time ago, and multitasking, as we’ve mastered. juggled classes and homework, clubs and sports, part-time I think that I can learn, however. jobs and social lives.

That, to me, is what college is all about: exploring new So, back to the original question: Are we prepared for the interests, testing our abilities, taking on challenges. By the real world? time we receive our diplomas, we should sound like the Little In reality, we won’t know until we’re out there, no Engine that Could: I think I can, I think I can. matter what alumni say. Of course, there will be a period of It begins the moment we step foot on campus for adjustment as we move to a new place with a new job and freshman orientation. All of a sudden, we’re thrust into a the responsibilities that come with it. And then there’s the brand new environment filled with strangers. momentous task of figuring out what to do when we don’t Most of us, I’m sure, experienced some degree of anxiety. have mountains of homework each night.

Would we fit in? Would we make friends? Those same Am I ready? I don’t know, but I say bring it on. questions come up when we think about entering the real Email Samantha Farkas at sbfarkas@email.wm.edu.

Samantha Farkas

“

“

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, Zachary Frank, 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.

COMMENTS @THEFLATHAT

“

I believe this article accurately highlights the issues that The Tribe will have to overcome to be successful this season.

Their rebounding skills have significantly improved which is good, but this is not enough to get them far in the postseason.

“

GRAPHIC BY BRIAN KAO / THE FLAT HAT

las, Blowout is here and finals are upon us. Before the booze and anxiety kick in, join us in our biannual tradition of reviewing the highs and lows of the semester.

First, let’s start with a thumbs down to the strict rules governing tailgates.

Safety is an important concern, but requiring three TIPS-trained members to be present at each organization’s tailgate is absurd and prevents smaller organizations from holding tailgates. And the three-drink wristband system is draconian and unenforceable. The College of William and Mary will never be a party school, but it should at least allow students to make their own decisions.

We give a thumbs up to the College’s new creative branding. As universities vie for prospective students, the College’s visual identity remains an important marketing tool and a mark of its prestige and professionalism. The new online style guide will help students and administrators more effectively present the College with a unified image.

Thumbs up to students and administrators for promoting sustainability.

The Students for Environmental Action Coalition organized a trip to the People’s Climate March and led the Take Back the Tap campaign to ban the sale of plastic water bottles on campus.

Sodexo also helped reduce the College’s environmental impact by donating hundreds of pounds of extra food to Campus Kitchens after family weekend and providing reusable mugs and to-go boxes.

But we give Sodexo an overall sideways thumb. Allowing students to use Dining Dollars at The Crust, Mooyah and Pita Pit increased options and offered an escape from the monotony of dining hall food. Sodexo misstepped, however, in its long-delayed implementation of the food truck and badly misjudged students’ preferences by removing meal swipes from the Marketplace, even for a short time. At the same time. we offer a thumbs up to the Marketplace’s delicious caprese sandwiches, which students compulsively devour. And double thumbs up to the dining employees, whose hard work and dedication deserve our constant appreciation.

Thumbs up to the recent religious climate survey on campus. College is a tumultuous time in young adults’ spiritual development, which makes understanding religious attitudes on campus all the more important.

We give another side thumb to wellness promotion on campus.

Spearheaded by Health Outreach Peer Educators, Mental Health Awareness Week brought honesty, respect and sensitivity to the forefront of student life and fostered important conversations about mental illness and suicide. However, the Celebrate You initiative lacked focus; the Student Assembly and AMP should not have spent $20,000 to book Schwayze, who lacked any connection to the initiative’s goals.

Finally, the Haven, a sanctuary for sexual assault and domestic abuse victims, deserves a big thumbs up. Students desperately need its services and information, and we hope it becomes more visible in the College community.

As the semester ends, let us reflect on what we have learned, celebrate our accomplishments, and look toward an even better year. Good luck on finals and have a safe break.

— Jacob Jacuzzi on “Women’s basketball: Tribe tops Loyola in season opener”

The final countdown: Surviving the last weeks of fall semester

Sierra Andersen THE FLAT HAT

Finals are the bane of every stressed out college student’s existence. Students pore over notes, textbooks, flash cards and Quizlets to absorb all the information possible in the shortest time possible, psyching themselves out before they even sit down to take the exam.

This results in neglect of an essential aspect of wellbeing: mental health.

Unfortunately, it is easy for students to put their mental health on the back burner, and this only becomes effortless when final exams

are thrown into the equation. While finals are a significant part of college life, it is more crucial to make sure that mental health is a priority.

When you possess the highest possible levels of mental health and clarity, you become the best version of yourself that you can be. It sounds cliché, but not only does your mental health affect your thought processes, it also affects your mood, your emotions and how you handle yourself overall.

One way to optimize mental health during finals season is to take study breaks. While this may seem like a no-brainer, it is a detail that students can easily overlook. For a short span of time, perhaps 15 minutes, push the textbooks and notes to the side and watch a funny YouTube video, or aimlessly scroll through any social media site of your choosing and save yourself from the breakdown later.

Cramming is a poor habit that can leave you cursing at your brain to process information faster. However, no matter how much you try, your brain has a mind of its own, and will not

cooperate. So, instead of trying to cram a ton of things in your head all at once, if possible, study bits of information earlier for a shorter amount of time. If you do this, you will most likely remember the information better when the day of the exam comes — and you will be fresher mentally, helping you to feel more prepared.

If you end up feeling like you cannot handle the stress or just need to vent, any type of support system, such as family or friends, is critical. Support systems have the advantage of an outsider’s point of view, which can help you put things in perspective and deal with any issues that you may be facing. Often, it simply helps to confide in someone about anything that may be troubling you, whether it is big or small.

Finally, put everything into perspective.

Although final exams are certainly important, they are also temporary. Remember not to sacrifice your wellbeing for a grade; your mental health will thank you later.

Email Sierra Andersen at snandersen@email. wm.edu.

GRAPHIC BY CHRISTOPHER RODRIGUES / THE FLAT HAT

sports

The Flat Hat | Friday, December 5, 2014 | Page 6

COURTESY PHOTO / TRIBE ATHLETICS

Sophomore midfielder Olivia Hajek and the Tribe advanced to the CAA semifinal.

Field Hockey

William and Mary, led by head coach Tess Ellis, finished the 2014 season with an overall record of 7-12-0, falling to Delaware 4-1 in the Colonial Athletic Association semifinals.

While it was predicted that the Tribe would finish in sixth place, the College finished third in the 2014 CAA standings. Senior forward Emma Clifton, who served as team captain along with red-shirt senior Jesse Ebner, led the team in assists and shots, while junior forward Pippin Saunders led in points (23) for the third year in a row. Saunders also scored a career-high total of 10 goals during the season.

The Tribe opened the season with a 9-0 loss to No. 6 Virginia and continued to face highly-ranked opponents. Despite a fivegame losing streak toward the beginning of the season, the College was able to gain momentum by October. A successful trip to North Carolina, which saw victories at Appalachian State and Davidson, was followed by a home shutout against Towson. The Tribe continued to play well up to and through the CAA tournament.

Six athletes were included on the CAA All-Conference teams.

Ellis — in only her second year as coach at the College — was named one of the CAA’s Coaches of the Year for the second time in a row.

The Tribe loses eight seniors in the coming season but adds seven incoming freshmen to the roster.

— Flat Hat Staff Writer Samantha Cohen

Finishing as high as third across nine matches, William and Mary’s fall season produced mixed results. The men’s program earned two third-place results across four matches, while the women earned one third-place finish through five matches.

The men opened the campaign with a third-place finish at the Joe Feaganes’ Marshall Invitational before finishing fifth in the Wolf Run Intercollegiate. Both September events fielded 15 teams. October began much the same way, as the Tribe earned its second third-place finish, this time at the 12-team Georgetown Intercollegiate. In its last event of the season, the College placed seventh in a 13-team field at the Bridgestone Intercollegiate.

The women started the fall season well, placing third in the 14-team Bucknell Invitational and fifth in the 13-team William and Mary Invitational. The Wyoming Desert Classic (12 of 16) and Nittany Lion Invitational (11 of 14) provided the lowest finishes of the season. In its last match, the Tribe earned a fifth-place finish among a field of 18 at the Lady Pirate Intercollegiate.

With the fall campaigns complete, the College continues play in February. The men will compete at the Wexford Plantation Intercollegiate, and the women will continue their season in March at the Kiawah Island Intercollegiate.

— Flat Hat Sports Editor Chris Weber

Golf

COURTESY PHOTO / TRIBE ATHLETICS

COURTESY PHOTO / TRIBE ATHLETICS

The Tribe finished 7-24 this season, including an 11 match losing streak.

COURTESY PHOTO / TRIBE ATHLETICS

Junior guard Marlena Tremba scored 24 points against Radford to lead the College to a 81-71 win. The Tribe is 5-2.

Tribe wins third straight

College improves to 5-2 with victory over Radford William and Mary earned an 81-71 win at Radford Tuesday in the 22nd meeting of the two Virginia programs. Radford leads the all-time series 15-7, but Tuesday’s win marks the Tribe’s second consecutive victory over the Highlanders.

The Highlanders were fresh off of a 68-67 victory against Appalachian State, while the Tribe entered the match following a commanding 90-55 win over Longwood. With Tuesday’s victory, the College improved to a 5-2 record.

The win, the Tribe’s third in a row, marks the first time since the 2008-09 season that the Tribe has won three consecutive games.

Radford took the lead early, posting a 12-7 advantage with 15:26 remaining in the Boone first half. The Tribe caught up, tying the game at 19 apiece with nine minutes remaining. However, the Highlanders refused to let the Tribe gain an edge: Ayana Avery and Aisha Foy both made big contributions to secure a 35-28 Radford lead with 3:59 remaining.

As time ran out in the first half, senior forward Jazmen Boone hit a jumper and assisted freshman forward Jeanne Gaumont’s three-pointer to narrow Radford’s lead to 35-33. The Highlanders scored two free throws and added a lay-up to widen the gap, but the Tribe stayed strong and finished the half trailing by one point, 39-38.

Radford took control of the second half much like in the first, using an 11-4 run to bring their lead

William and Mary finished the year at 7-24, with a 3-13 ledger in the Colonial Athletic Association.

The Tribe finished seventh in the nine-team CAA, with two players finishing on all-conference teams. Freshman Sara Zumbach was named to the all-rookie team, while senior Liz Brown earned all-academic honors.

The team’s best performance of the year came at the Patriot Invitational, an early season tournament hosted by George Mason. The College played three games, winning two. The Tribe won an impressive 3-2 match over Lehigh, a team that won more than 20 games during its season.

Junior Dessi Koleva led the team with 300 kills, averaging almost three kills per game with a 0.158 kill percentage. Koleva also led the team in points, finishing the season with 341.5.

Sophomore Stephanie Paul boasted the highest kill percentage of the year at 0.333. Paul also led the College in assists with 447. Junior Carolyn Albright had a team high 114 blocks and averaged over a block per set.

Despite its struggles, the Tribe’s youth sets the squad up for a promising campaign next season, which will be head coach Melissa Shelton’s ninth season with the College.

— Flat Hat Staff Writer Tyler Shaw

Senior Kellie Edelblut and the Tribe placed third at the Bucknell Invitational.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

DEVIN LOGAN FLAT HAT ASSOC. SPORTS EDITOR

in review

Fall ’14

Continuing from Tuesday’s issue, The Flat Hat recaps the rest of the fall sports season

Volleyball

FEATURES

Sports Editor Mick Sloan Sports Editor Chris Weber flathatsports@gmail.com @FlatHatSports

to 50-42. The Tribe and the Highlanders traded runs for the next few minutes, but Radford maintained its lead throughout, posting a score of 57-47 with 11:36 remaining.

The Tribe then went on its biggest run of the game, scoring 14 points to Radford’s two in just over three minutes to bring the score to 63-59. This marked the first time the College led the Highlanders all night.

Radford made a valiant attempt to regain the lead but fell short. Sophomore guard Marlena Tremba scored five points in the last three minutes and added a steal and a turnover to seal the Tribe’s 81-71 victory.

Tremba scored a season-high 24 points, including nine free throws. Boone tallied a seasonhigh sixteen points, including ten rebounds.

Freshman guard Jenna Green scored eleven points, and freshman center Abby Rendle chipped in ten.

Radford led the Tribe 34-24 in the paint. The Highlanders also outscored the Tribe 14-10 on rebounds and 7-6 on points scored off breakaways.

However, the College scored 26 points off turnovers compared to Radford’s 13.

The Tribe faces La Salle in Philadelphia Saturday at 1 p.m. before taking a 12-day hiatus for exams.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

FH

Senior guard Marcus Thornton scored a career high 37 points, but the College lost 68-67 on the road against Richmond. Flat Hat Sports Editor Mick Sloan has more at flathatnews.com.

SARAH PERRY / THE FLAT HAT

STAFF PICKS 2014 BEST

EATS p. 3

BEST

ART

BEST

BRUNCH p. 2

p. 4

AND MORE!

BEST OF

THE ’BURG

variety

The Flat Hat

Aromas Cafe

BEST

BRUNCH CAROL PENG / THE FLAT HAT

Aromas has the quaint, cozy vibe of a coffeehouse and the charm of a local restaurant.

JILLIAN BATES FLAT HAT ASSOC. VARIETY EDITOR

Choosing the right place for brunch in the ‘Burg can be a tough task with all of the pancake houses

| Friday, December 5, 2014 | Page 2

monopolizing Richmond Road.

Instead of searching Richmond Road to fulfill your pancake pleasure, try Prince George Street, where the brunch at Aromas proves itself worthy.

Aromas has the quaint, cozy vibe

of a coffeehouse while also having the charm of a local restaurant. It is affordable, close to campus and caters to locals, college students and Williamsburg visitors alike. It is the perfect place to grab a good cup of coffee and read or enjoy a wellprepared meal while catching up with an old friend. It offers outdoor seating with a view of Colonial Williamsburg and indoor seating with a more appealing view of the dessert display and ever-changing wall art.

On entering Aromas, the lingering smell of rich coffee will initially hit, and then the smell of the garden omelet on the plate of the customer beside the entrance will take over.

For brunch, Aromas offers a variety of fresh, healthy and varied breakfast options. Along with the breakfast basics (like bacon, eggs and French toast), it offers a few understated

options. It has embraced the classic combination of banana and peanut butter on a toasted bagel for a healthy but filling meal. It also offers a granola and yogurt parfait with fruit for those who are hungry but not quite ready for an endless stack of flapjacks. And let’s not forget about its infamous poached eggs on grits.

Aromas also has a flair for international cuisine: Check out the selection of biscotti on top of the dessert display to pair with a coffee or a sinfully good spiced chai latte. It also offers croissants and fruit-filled crepes as other tempting options.

Aromas’ brunch energizes and satisfies without weighing you down. So, in the future when you are overwhelmed with the selection of potential pancake houses, consider something a bit lighter on stress and on your stomach, and head to Aromas.

Goats R Us NICOLE WALSH FLAT HAT STAFF WRITER

Students who attend the weekly Williamsburg Farmers Market purely to hunt down free food samples surely know the individual colloquially referred to as “goat cheese man.”

Goats R Us, a regular stand at the Saturday fair, boasts Virginia’s finest fresh cheeses, and — luckily for college students — an abundance of free samples. The unique, cheesy flavors range from pineapple walnut to fudgy chocolate or sundried tomato and basil. You can also opt for the classic, tangy plain. You’ll most likely have to fend off the flocks of hungry shoppers, but I recommend trying every single cheese combination, heaped upon a cracker. A word of caution: Beware of the slightly judgmental looks that you will receive if you munch on too many samples without making a purchase.

Unsurprisingly, the “goat cheese man” wins the “Best of the Burg” award due to his fresh flavor combinations and all those delicious samples. If the samples are not enough, as I personally find myself always wanting more, the vendor offers competitively priced products. The stand sells sample-sized, four-ounce containers, or larger amounts for the true goat cheese fanatics. Whether you’re in the mood for a tasty dip, sandwich spread or just eating cheese by the spoonful, Goats R Us does not disappoint any taste buds. Goat cheese is also the perfect healthy and filling snack for students on the go or late-night studying.

Additionally, the “goat cheese man” embodies

BEST

MARKET STAND

SARAH PERRY/ THE FLAT HAT

Goats R Us, a regular stand at the Saturday fair, boasts Virginia’s finest fresh cheeses and an abundance of free samples.

the colorful character of the Williamsburg Farmers Market. The market is a “can’t miss activity” for students of the College — it features regionallyproduced food in a convenient location (DoG Street) while showcasing the Williamsburg community. It is the perfect venue to grocery shop for sustainable, healthy food or take a walk through historic Colonial Williamsburg. The crowd surrounding this stand corroborates the hype; it wouldn’t be the Farmers Market without the “goat cheese man.”

The Goats R Us stand beats out all others at the

Farmers Market, although there was some tough competition. Other vendors on DoG Street include King of Pops, which sells gourmet popsicles, Jamestown Pie Company and Belmont Peanuts. It’s not an easy task to triumph over popsicles in the Williamsburg summer heat or pie during the holiday season, but goat cheese is a year-round staple.

Next time you find yourself near the Williamsburg Farmers Market, make sure to stop by and grab some goat cheese and, while you’re at it, some peanuts or a popsicle, too.

Variety Editor Tucker Higgins Variety Editor Devon Ivie flathat.variety@gmail.com @theflathat

DEVON IVIE FLAT HAT VARIETY EDITOR

While Williamsburg may not have a Rainbow Room, it does indeed have something just as special.

Located on Duke of Gloucester Street, The Trellis is an oasis for 21-and-over students with a penchant for consuming stylish cocktails and libations and who also want an escape from the cliché bar and deli scene. Thanks to the addition of a few juxtaposed high-top tables with a great view of Colonial Williamsburg, the bar provides an oft-needed relaxing environment and refined break from the annoyances of collegiate life. Charlie Parker’s saxophone quietly vibrates from the speakers as you nibble on tasty bar snacks — salted peanuts, compliments of The Peanut Shop — while well-informed bartenders are quick with a joke and a smile as the business casual-clad patrons walk in and out. Oh yes, and cocktails are abundant, of course. The bar selection is excellent and often under-appreciated by College of

Trellis

William and Mary students. Cocktails are particularly tasty, although hearty glasses of wine or tall glasses of beer can also be consumed with equal delectability.

All cocktail staples — cosmopolitans, martinis, mojitos and grasshoppers, to name a very select few — are on constant rotation and crafted from the best liquors and the bartenders (or “mixologists”) are always happy to make a custom creation upon request. A variety of Trellis-specific handcrafted cocktails are also ample and delicious. You’ll almost certainly see a few bar patrons sipping on a “Southern Belle” (bourbon, creme de mure, lemon juice, orange slice, simple syrup and garnished with a blackberry) or a “Cuervo’s Cup” (agave tequila, lime juice, cucumber water, hot pepper syrup, cucumber spears, lime wedges) in between bites of special bar-only

Cookout SAM DREITH FLAT HAT ASSOC. VARIETY EDITOR

One big double burger, hushpuppies, chicken nuggets and a huge tea all for $4.99. The typical College student would be hard pressed to find a cheaper meal in a ten-mile radius without scavenging through dumpsters outside the Commons Dining Hall.

Cook Out, a southern fast food chain founded in North Carolina, certainly deserves its title of best cheap eats. Two of its $4.99 platters boast a price tag on par with most eateries around the College but offer more food than your typical College student could possibly eat.

Aside from its diverse southern style menu, Cook Out is also well-known for its wide variety of milkshakes. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic chocolate shake or December’s specialty fresh eggnog shake, Cook Out won’t disappoint with its 46 flavor options.

If you’re not up for an entire meal, a milkshake with a regular fry (for dipping in the shake, if you’re bold) will usually fit the bill.

While it is just as fast as surrounding fast food chains, Cook Out manages to keep the speed while still providing friendly service and a clean atmosphere. Once your order number is called, there is no

lack of wood-carved benches and tables for you to devour your platter on.

Even though Cook Out is not as close as some competing food options, its cost to distance ratio is just high enough to beat out the competition. A comfortable 1.5 miles off campus, Cook Out is the perfect distance to act as a quick escape while still not requiring an unnecessary trek.

If none of your friends can be goaded into driving you a few minutes down Richmond Road, the Williamsburg Area Transit Authority’s Green Line stops a short walk away from its location, convenient on cold nights.

If the unrivaled price and various milkshakes aren’t enough, Cook Out’s hours of operation are favorable for overworked students who need to mix something new

BEST

CHEAP EATS

into their Wawa runs. Cook Out stays open until 3 a.m., the perfect time for a milkshake break during finals week. Most importantly, though, Cook Out will always be there when you’re at your lowest — both financially and emotionally.

The Flat Hat

| Friday, December 5, 2014 | Page 3

plates. If you’re feeling peckish, the three different types of sliders make a great accompaniment to any drink.

Also a plus is the fact that the cocktails won’t set you back too much money, despite their innovative and high-quality ingredients. The average cocktail costs about $10, rounding up to around $12 including a tip. It’s also worth noting that every Wednesday from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., all drinks and bar food are half-price. Two for one, anyone?

BEST

COCKTAIL

Blue Talon EMILY STONE FLAT HAT ASSOC. VARIETY EDITOR

The Blue Talon takes the title for “Best Expensive Eats,” also known as “Best Place To Bring Your Parents When You Want a Free Meal.” However, there are more affordable meal options at the Blue Talon for those times when you can’t drag your parents’ wallets to dinner with you.

If you still desire a white tablecloth experience complete with flattering lighting and tiny water glasses, do not despair; it can certainly be had for less than $15.

In an effort to save students from dining hall slumps, every Thursday the Blue Talon offers an $11 special entrée for students.

In addition, students receive

BEST

PRICEY EATS

free entrees on their birthdays — that’s the time to go for the seared duck breast or gratin of lump crab. The restaurant also offers free hot chocolate to the first 100 students who come in while it is snowing.

While the $30 sous vide sirloin

is not within every student’s price range, there are many affordable options on the menu. Some students choose to go for the side of mac and cheese (complete with sauteed vegetables and salty ham) instead of the full entree.

Others indulge in the less pricey lunch menu (such as a grilled asparagus salad or a croque madame), where there isn’t quite as much food but prices are half of the dinner entrees.

Those who choose to go all out and order the priciest entrees are rarely disappointed.

The Blue Talon’s rich comfort food is always filling (or can be easily stretched into two meals), and the hints of French cuisine differentiate the menu from all other restaurants in Williamsburg — not your typical pancake house options, to say the least.

The desserts are also not to be overlooked. Students consistently rave about the chocolate mousse, in addition to brownies about the size of your head and homemade ice cream.

The Blue Talon is definitely worth the splurge, but if you don’t have the deep pockets for it, you can easily still have an enjoyable dining experience. High quality ingredients and indulgent touches justify the higher prices.

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ADVENTURE CAROL PENG / THE FLAT HAT

The boathouse is closed right now, but will reopen when the weather gets warmer.

Canoeing Matoaka

ANNIE SADLER FLAT HAT ASSOC. OPINION EDITOR

When things get a little too hectic and you want an escape from all the hustle and bustle of Williamsburg, Lake Matoaka is the place to go. In addition to the peaceful view, Lake Matoaka boasts plenty of calming activities such as canoeing.

Getting hold of a canoe is quite simple, and it’s free with your student ID. All you have to do is head over to the boathouse and hand over your ID. In return you will get a canoe for two to three hours on any day, weather permitting. The boathouse is a green concrete building which you’ll find beside the lake. The boathouse is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3 to 5 p.m., and on

Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m. Although the boathouse is currently closed due to wintry weather, it will reopen in the spring and remain open through the end of October.

If you haven’t been convinced yet to go canoeing at the first thaw, here’s an extra special selling point: About once a month, the Tribe Adventure Program hosts a moonlight paddle on Lake Matoaka. Why not take the canoe out and do some stargazing.

Only students and alumni can check out canoes from the boathouse.

Whether you choose to venture out there for some alone time or you go with a group of friends, this is one college experience you don’t want to miss.

Aromas in Mews MEILAN SOLLY FLAT HAT ASSOC. NEWS EDITOR

Welcome to Earl Gregg Swem Library, where stressed-out students madly typing papers due the next day and procrastinating students sneakily watching “Gilmore Girls” gather for the perfect blend of silence, camaraderie and caffeine.

Swem Aromas, fondly dubbed Swemromas, lies on the ground floor of Swem, directly to the left of the library’s entrance. It’s a new addition to the College of William and Mary, opening this semester as part of the Dining Services transition from Aramark to Sodexo USA. Like its larger and better-known counterpart — the popular Aromas World located on Prince George Street — Swemromas offers a plethora of beverages and food.

Hot chocolate is a popular choice among students, as are specialty drinks like the s’mores latte, tribe mocha and rooibos tea. Caffeine, in the form of coffee, is also a favorite.

Unlike the main Aromas cafe, Swemromas’ fare is limited to soup, sandwiches and desserts that are prepared at Aromas and transported to

its sister location daily. Baked goods, such as chocolate croissants and biscotti, are also available.

Swemromas has been the object of student adulation since its opening, a fact most evident between classes, when the ordering line extends almost out of the door.

Students spend time (and Dining Dollars) at Swemromas for a variety of reasons — first, the quality of everything on Swemromas’ menu, from its coffee to its cookies, is comparable to the high quality available at the main Aromas.

The atmosphere at Swemromas is a welcome change from the rest of Swem.

Swemromas is cozy; photos of the College decorate the walls, which exude positive vibes and induce a relaxing state. It can also be comforting to hear a din of voices, rather than stark silence, when pretending to dissect Nietzsche while actually chatting with friends.

The final selling point of Swemromas is its staff. Even though the rush of students looks daunting to most observers, Swemromas’ baristas are always friendly, serving up smiles, delicious food and drinks — and even compliments — on a daily basis.

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FLEX

Muscarelle Museum of Art

SARAH RUIZ FLAT HAT ASSOC. VARIETY EDITOR

Need a study break? Searching for creative inspiration? The College of William and Mary’s Muscarelle Museum of Art can certainly help with that.

The Muscarelle is an easy walk from just about anywhere on campus — and walking is a small price to pay for access to world-class art exhibits, especially after considering the fact that student admission is free.

The museum hosts the most varied collection of art in Williamsburg area, proving a valuable resource for both entertainment and academics. Its permanent collection spans centuries of art, as well as mediums including everything from pottery to painting. And, of course, no Williamsburg art gallery would be complete without 17th and 18th century colonial portraits.

The Muscarelle also hosts traveling exhibits displaying notable art from around the globe. The current exhibit features Japanese artist Toshi Yoshida’s woodblock prints and a rare collection of Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings will be arrive from museums in Italy this February.

Perhaps the most fun and interactive part of the Muscarelle is the Solar Wall, a mural of colored light on the side of the museum which turns anything

SARAH PERRY / THE FLAT HAT

The Muscarelle’s permanent collection spans centuries.

in front of it into a silhouette. Students can pose creatively with their friends to stage that perfect Instagram post.

The Muscarelle not only provides access to art but acts as a teaching tool in conjunction with the College. On the third Thursdays and the first Tuesdays of each month, experts and artists give lectures which are free and open to the public. Additionally, select students canwork with the professional staff to curate exhibits as part of their studies.

The museum also holds some great events. From student soirees to music nights in the gallery, there is always something worth investigating. For those staying in the ’Burg for the holidays, the Williamsburg Youth Chorale will be singing at the Muscarelle Dec. 21.

Open from noon to 4 p.m. on weekends and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, the Muscarelle has much to offer the Williamsburg community. So, before you buy that movie ticket, consider taking a trip to the Muscarelle instead.

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ART