The Flat Hat March 28, 2014

Page 1

SPORTS >> PAGE 8

VARIETY >> PAGE 6

Second win of season comes as junior attacker Kaleigh Noon nets three, senior attacker Taelor Salmo five.

Building Tomorrow’s Bike to Uganda event raises money for schools.

College crushes Longwood

Vol. 103, Iss. 43 | Friday, March 28, 2014

From the ’Burg to Uganda

The Flat Hat The Twice-Weekly Student Newspaper

of The College of William and Mary

Flathatnews.com | Follow us:

The definition of valor COMMENCEMENT

STUDENT LIFE

ROTC steady despite cuts Operational budget shrinks BY VAYDA PARRISH THE FLAT HAT

October 2013 raised concern about the survival of United States Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps programs at colleges across the country. With the government shutdown looming, American administrators were forced to find ways to cut down on federal spending. The Department of Defense assessed ROTC programs nationwide and elected to discontinue funding for programs producing less than 15 officers per school year. Colleges that met the criteria for disbandment were given an ultimatum. The government gave them until the end of the 2014-15 school year to adjust in order to meet the minimum officer production rate. Only then would the schools continue to receive federally facilitated financing. According to the Army’s website, the 13 schools threatened with closure included Arkansas State, East Tennessee State University, Georgia Regents University, Morehead State University, North Dakota State University, Northern Michigan University, Tennessee Tech, the University of North Alabama, the University of California at Santa Barbara, the University of South Dakota, the University of Southern Mississippi, the University of Tennessee at Martin, and the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. The College of William and Mary’s ROTC curriculum was founded in 1947. Ever since Christopher Newport University’s founding in 1960, the program has existed in tandem with that university. Currently, over half of the cadets are enrolled at CNU; approximately 40-50 cadets are students at the College. Despite nearly 70 years of success, questions have risen over whether or not ROTC at the College will be impacted by national budget cuts. “The military is going through a great time of change, so our training is going to change significantly,” Cadet Hunter Gill ’15 said. “That means that the Army has to start buckling down on ROTC regulations nationally.” While Army ROTC programs exist to train the country’s next generation of military officers, their highest priority is higher education for each student cadet. The majority of national funding that the College and CNU receive is used to fund academic scholarships that cover cadets’ tuition. Students can apply for scholarships beginning their senior year of high school. Other aspects of federal funding at the See ROTC page 4

BY ABBY BOYLE // FLAT HAT MANAGING EDITOR

Medal of Honor recipient and Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry lost a hand saving two fellow soldiers from a grenade in Afghanistan. He will serve as the 2014 Commencement speaker. Supreme Court Justice Atonin Scalia and Alan Miller ’58 will also speak at Commencement. In July 2011, Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry was awarded the United States Armed Forces’ highest decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in a May 2008 tour of Afghanistan. Three years later, Petry will address the College of William and Mary’s Class of 2014 at their Commencement ceremony May 11 in Kaplan Arena. Since joining the U.S. Army in 1999, Petry has served two tours in Iraq and six in Afghanistan. In May 2008, he was with two other Rangers in a Paktia, Afghanistan courtyard when the three heard a grenade explode nearby. Turning to see another

grenade sitting on the ground between them, Petry reached for it. The grenade exploded as Petry threw it, severing his right hand. When medical help arrived, Petry ensured the others received attention before being treated for his injuries. “Sgt. Petry brings a powerful story of commitment, loyalty and resiliency that is truly inspiring,” College President Taylor Reveley said in a press release. “We are very fortunate to have him join us for Commencement and share his story with our graduates.” Petry re-enlisted in 2010 after receiving a

STUDENT ASSAULTED, AMBLER ALERTS CAMPUS

CHRIS WEBER / THE FLAT HAT

The assault occured on Yates Path.

Four non-student juveniles allegedly assaulted and attempted to rob a student on the Yates path behind the Student Health Center Wednesday night at about 11:30 p.m. In an email to the campus community, Vice President for Student Affairs Ginger Ambler ‘88, Ph.D. ‘06 said the student was approached by four males who appeared to be juveniles. The group shoved the victim and attempted to rob him before they ran away. College of William and Mary police in the area responded. Ambler said three of the juveniles have been arrested and charged for assault and attempted robbery, but a fourth remains at large. According to the police report, no weapons were seen during the incident. College police do not have enough information to provide an accurate description. “Before you heard about this elsewhere, I wanted to be sure our community has

COURTESY PHOTO / W&M

accurate information on what occurred,” Ambler said in an email to campus. “William & Mary and the Williamsburg are[a] are generally safe communities; this incident last night is an unfortunate reminder that crimes can and do occur.” Ambler encouraged students to contact campus police at 757-221-4596 if they knew anything about Wednesday’s incident. She also provided information about campus escort services, manned by the Alpha Pi Omega service fraternity. Campus escort can be reached at 757221-3293 and runs 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. These phone numbers are also provided on the back of all students’ IDs. For students off- and oncampus, Steer Clear services run Thursdays 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. — Flat Hat Editor-in-Chief Meredith Ramey

prosthesis. He is one of two Medal of Honor recipients in any branch of service still in active duty. Petry now serves as a liaison officer for the Special Operations Command Care Coalition, working with wounded soldiers and their families. “As William and Mary students, we are committed to serving others regardless of the paths we take after graduation,” Student Assembly President Chase Koontz ’14 said in a press release. See COMMENCEMENT page 3

ADMINISTRATION

Survey looks to clarify message platform Administrators hope to unify visual identity BY WILL EMMONS FLAT HAT STAFF WRITER

Four years ago, College of William and Mary President Taylor Reveley made a request of the Visual Identity Committee: Engage the public with a singular logo. Since then, researchers at the College have been working to create an image which will unify all aspects of the College community and clearly communicate what the school represents. Reveley’s memorandum to the Visual Identity Committee asked them to recommend how best to use logos, marks and mascots to create a cohesive visual image for the university. Researchers at the College are trying to subtly synthesize those various icons into a unified logo that will serve as the main theme of the College, otherwise known as a message platform. “A message platform helps form the foundation of our campus communications,” Director of Creative Services Tina Coleman said. See LOGO page 3

Today’s Weather

Index News Insight News News Opinions Variety Variety Sports

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Inside OPINIONS

SPORTS

Epic failure

Rain High 70, Low 54

Failing teaches us valuable life lessons. While we attempt to be perfect, we forget failing is an opportunity to grow. page 4

Tribe sets sights on Delaware

Potent offense, led by junior first baseman Michael Katz looks to continue success in first CAA series for both programs. page 8


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