9.9.19- Fourth Estate by Student Media George Mason University

September 09, 2019

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWSPAPER

Volume 7 Issue 2

FOURTH ESTATE Mason Students leave their permanent mark

@ivestate | gmufourthestate.com

A LOOK BACK AT THE CABRERA ERA (P. 3) || A PATRIOT TO REMEMBER (P. 8) || PRIDE ALLIANCE (P. 12) || OPINION: MASON IS A COMMUTER SCHOOL (P. 15) Fourth Estate is a free publication, limit one copy per person. Additional copies are 25 cents payable to the OfямБce of Student Media.

FOURTH ESTATE

09.09.2019

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

DANA NICKEL HAILEY BULLIS Co Editor-in-Chief

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

ALEXANDRIA MCALPINE Art Director

Dear Patriots, As I’m writing this, my co-editor, Hailey, celebrated her 20th birthday by bringing a dozen donuts for the staff. We probably should have coordinated better, because I also brought a dozen donuts for the staff. Oh well, it’s not like anyone is complaining here.

LAURA SCUDDER DELANEY HARRISON Copy Editors ABIGAIL ADCOX News Editor JACK HARVEY Assistant News Editor

Except for one complaint: the jelly donut was grossly inadequate. We had a nice long weekend to help us ease into the semester, but we’re back now. We’re back and ready to work, for the most part. Sometimes we get a little tired, you know? This week our reporters have covered a wide array of events, issues and meetings on campus. In our News section, we have a story on how Mason professors are working to combat the opioid epidemic in the U.S. Our Culture section wrote about how students can get outside scholarships. Our Sports editors profiled some of Mason’s most successful athletes. Our Opinions section, funnily enough, wrote a tell-all piece on the importance of NASCAR’s Southern 500.

PETER NJOROGE Culture Editor IZZ LAMAGDELEINE Assistant Culture Editor NATALIE HEAVREN Sports Editor DOMENIC ALLEGRA Assistant Sports Editor

Riveting stuff, right? I’d like to think so too.

CHRIS KERNAN-SCHMIDT Opinions Editor

My favorite part of our newspaper (humble brag) is how I learn something new with every issue. My friend and fellow editor, Laura, always says that the best thing any of us can do is try to learn. So, if all we do this week is teach you something new, I feel like that’s a victory.

BILLY FERGUSON Online Director LEXI REYES Social Media Editor

As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns, we’re here for you.

DOMINIQUE BERNARDINO Multimedia Editor

Sincerely,

EMMETT SMITH Distribution Manager

Dana Nickel

KATHRYN MANGUS Director

Co Editor-in-Chief

DAVID CARROLL Associate Director JASON HARTSEL Assistant Director

We are always recruiting volunteers for: - WRITERS - VIDEOGRAPHERS - ILLUSTRATORS - COPY EDITORS - PHOTOGRAPHERS

George Mason University Mail stop 2C5 4400 University Drive Fairfax, Va. 22030 Phone 703-993-2950

For all inquiries, please email: masonfourthestate@gmail.com

Fourth Estate is printed each Monday for George Mason University and its surrounding Fairfax community. The editors of Fourth Estate have exclusive authority over the content that is published. There are no outside parties that play a role in the newspaper’s content, and should there be a question or complaint regarding this policy, the Editor-in-Chief should be notified at the email provided. Fourth Estate is a free publication, limit one copy per person. Additional copies are 25 cents payable to the Office of Student Media.

COVER PHOTO CREDITS Alexandria McAlpine / Fourth Estate

NEWS

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

09.09.2019

SEVEN YEARS: THE END OF THE CABRERA ERA

Highlighting the highs and lows of Cabrera’s presidential term COLLIN COPE STAFF WRITER

In his inaugural speech Cabrera said,“What if, instead of defining our goal as trying to be the best university in the world, we promise one another that what we are going to try to do is become the best university for the world? That’s our goal.” In 2014, Cabrera announced that,“Former Washington Redskins player Brad Edwards will be the college’s new athletic director,” according to CBS D.C. Mason Korea, a satellite campus of Mason in Incheon, South Korea, was founded in 2014 under the Cabrera administration and aimed “to become the best global education hub in Northeast Asia,” according to the Mason Korea website. In 2016, Mason faced controversy for accepting a set of donations from politically conservative sources. According to an article in the Washington Post, “Among the gifts to the law school was $10 million from the Charles Koch Foundation.” This decision alone led to unrest among students and staff as it was revealed that “Millions of dollars in donations from conservative-leaning donors like the Charles Koch Foundation had come with strings attached,” according to the New York Times. The university also took a donation from

PHOTO COURTESY OF MASON POLICE

MASON WEEKLY CRIME LOG

Dwight Schar, an American businessman known to support conservative causes. This decision was supported by Cabrera as he stated, “Dwight Schar’s gift will help bring the increased international acclaim the school so richly deserves.” In 2018, Mason welcomed its largest incoming class: the class of 2022. “3,700 students is the largest incoming class in school history and brings the total enrollment past 37,000 students for the first time,” according to Mason’s website at the time. The Cabrera administration worked to help students who wanted to begin their higher education at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and later transfer to Mason. “In addition to more closely aligning their curricula and course requirements, GMU and NOVA are supporting ADVANCE students by pairing them with success coaches who will advise them throughout their higher education career,” according to an article published in November 2018 in the Fairfax County Times. Cabrera stated, “This is not just a pilot. This is a sustainable solution that is going to change the lives of thousands of students.” In March 2019, it was first reported by the Fourth Estate that recently appointed Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh had been hired to teach at Mason’s Antonin Scalia Law School as a visiting professor.

This decision was met with mixed reactions from the student body and contributed to the creation of Mason for Survivors, a studentrun organization. According to an article published in the Huffington Post, Maeve Hartnett, a member of Mason 4 Survivors, said she felt “uncomfortable going to this school,” adding “I don’t feel like I can complete the rest of my education here.” Meanwhile, President Cabrera reconfirmed the university’s decision on the hiring, stating,“Even if the outcome is painful, what’s at stake is very, very important for the integrity of the university.” On June 6, University Life sent out an email to all currently enrolled students announcing that Cabrera was selected as a top finalist for the presidency of Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). A few days later on June 13, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) named Cabrera president of Georgia Tech effective beginning Sept. 1. On July 31, Cabrera left Mason with a farewell message on his blog stressing to the Mason community that “A lot of work remains for all of us. In Fairfax, in Atlanta, across the nation, and around the world… More conversations need to happen between those who disagree … Hasta la vista, George Mason University. Muchas gracias.”

Monday, Sept. 2 -- Whitetop Hall

Monday, Sept. 2 -- Franklin Hall

Liquor Law Violations/Medical Assist: Subject (GMU) was transported to Inova Assess Hospital for

Drug Law Violations/Liquor Law Violations/Tobacco Violations: Subject (GMU) was referred to Office of Student Conduct (OSC) for possessing illegal drugs and alcohol/ tobacco products while under age 21.

treatment of overconsumption of alcohol and referred to OSC for possessing alcohol while under age 21.

Case 2019-008371-- Pending

Case 2019-008344--Referred to OSC

Monday, Sept. 2 -- Whitetop Hall

Wednesday, Sept. 4 -- Art & Design

Liquor Law Violations: Subject (GMU) was referred to OSC for possessing alcohol while under age 21.

Destruction/Damage/Vandalism of Property: Complainant (GMU) reported vandalism to a painting.

Case 2019-008346-- Referred to OSC

Case 2019-008442 -- Inactive

Monday, Sept. 2 -- Dominion Hall

Wednesday, Sept. 4 -- Fairfax Campus

Drug Law Violations: Subject (GMU) was referred to OSC for possessing illegal drugs.

Use of Threatening Language Over Public Airways: Complainant (GMU) reported receiving a threatening electronic message from an unknown subject.

Case 2019-008362-- Referred to OSC

Case 2019-008451 -- Referred to Title IX

FOURTH ESTATE ALEXANDRIA MCALPINE

Following the 16-year term of former Mason President Alan Merten, Ángel Cabrera assumed the position in July of 2012

NEWS

09.09.2019

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

FALL SEMESTER KICKS OFF WITH MASON STAYCATION PAC encourages students to spend their long weekend on campus ALEXA TIRONI STAFF WRITER

When asked about the event and their first full week on campus, several freshmen expressed how the events helped them feel included in the Mason community. Mason Staycation, organized by the Patriot Activities Council (PAC), marked the first weekend of the fall semester. Thursday, Aug. 29 kicked off the fun-filled five-day event featuring an array of activities, free food and even an inflated mechanical bull. IVth Night, operating under a “wild west” theme, was the first event of the weekend held on the SUB 1 lawn. Students flooded the grass and sidewalks as Drake boomed from the speakers and annual Mason Fight Song t-shirts were handed out en mass. As students walked the carnival they munched on anything from chicken

nuggets to roasted marshmallows, accompanied by graham crackers and chocolate for s’mores. Mason organizations lined the sidewalks with tables to hand out info — as well as plenty of Mason apparel. To go along with the “wild west” theme of the event, a mechanical bull stood in the center of the lawn. Students shouted and laughed as they took turns to see who could last the longest on the bucking bronco. When the line for bull riding was too long, students dressed up in cowboy costumes — complete with hats and mustaches — and took photos in front of a western backdrop.

about Halloween costumes, annoying drivers, hippity hops and the fear of your angry mother at the grocery store. O’Shea ended the night of endless laughs with a serious message for students, saying, “Go after everything you want and you’ll be just fine … Just smile: You’re exactly where you need to be.” The rest of the weekend featured a trip to a Washington Nationals game and outdoor bingo, where students

won back-to-school supplies, Mason gear and other cool prizes. Mason’s Staycation weekend ended with an outdoor showing of “Avengers: Endgame.” An upcoming event hosted by PAC is the One Love Cultural Festival on Sept. 20, which will allow students to find a community within an organization that represents their culture. This event will feature live music, performances, and of course, food.

Some of the reasoning behind the event was to encourage students to stay on campus during the three-day holiday weekend. In order to change the weekend campus atmosphere at Mason, PAC has partnered with Housing and Residence Life to host events that appeal to both on and off campus students. “The goal is to encourage students to stay on campus and come out to the activities to stay as connected as possible, said Mark Keovongphet, the director of publicity for PAC.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LEO GAO

Along the sidewalk brands such as Amazon Prime, Command Hooks and Scotch Tape hosted their own tents and giveaways while handing out promotional products to students. Beneath the Philips Norelco tent students were invited to sit for a free haircut.

Friday night’s activities consisted of comedian Eric O’Shea, who kept the audience laughing with relatable jokes

LAST WEEK IN POLITICS Monday, Sept. 2 34 people killed off of Santa Cruz Island in California after diving boat catches ﬁre

Tuesday, Sept. 3 Walmart to stop Alaskan handgun sales Panel of judges in North Carolina vote that district maps are skewed to beneﬁt Republicans and violate state’s constitution

Wednesday, Sept. 4

Thursday, Sept. 5

Hurricane Dorian death toll rises to 20 in Bahamas, health minister says

Tornado reported in Myrtle Beach as Hurricane Dorian works way up East Coast

YouTube to pay $170 million settlement ﬁne over accusations of soliciting ads targeted at children

U.K. lawmakers pass bill to block no-deal Brexit

Former Obama White House council Greg Craig found not guilty in foreign lobbying charge

Contaminant found in vaping products linked to lung illnesses, according to state and federal lab tests

Friday, Sept. 6 Google bans ads for unproven stem cell therapies Hurricane Dorian makes landfall over Cape Hatteras, North Carolina

NEWS

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

09.09.2019

PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH COMMITTEE EVENT DRAWS LOW TURNOUT Committee discusses their goals in a public forum JACK HARVEY ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

FOURTH ESTATE ALEXANDRIA MCALPINE

The panel received low turnout, with only a few of the seats in the JC Bistro being filled at any point during the event. This was remarked upon by one of the students in attendance. “It’s the second Tuesday at school at 2 p.m. after a three-day weekend during like [several] different class times ... I know that things happen, but this is a trend that I’ve seen since 2015,” said the graduate student.

OPIOID USE DISORDER GRANT Mason partners with 11 institutions to conduct research on opioid addiction treatment within the Justice Community JALEN REID STAFF WRITER

Mason is partnering with 11 other institutions that were collectively awarded $155 million dollars by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to set up the Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN). It aims to conduct innovative research in the realm of opioid addiction prevention and treatment within criminal justice populations. “So many individuals who struggle with substance use issues find themselves in the criminal justice system because of their addiction,” said Bill Hazel, Senior Advisor for Innovation and Community Engagement in Mason’s Office of Research. According to the NIH, “The center will be responsible for the management of

logistics, engagement with practitioners and other key stakeholders in the justice and behavioral health fields and dissemination of products and key research findings.” JCOIN is a part of the Help End Addiction Long-Term (HEAL) initiative which, according to the NIH, “is an aggressive, trans-agency effort to speed scientific solutions to stem the national opioid public health crisis.” They aim to map the neurological pathways involved in addiction and pain as well as provide cutting-edge treatment related to opioid abuse. Among these treatments are behavioral interventions as well as the nasal form for Naloxone, which reverses opioid overdose with a nasal spray.

The JCOIN initiative was started after awareness of the addictive properties opioid medications such as Fentanyl became widespread. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), pharmaceutical companies had reassured the medical community that the drugs they were prescribing were not addictive. This led to a rapid increase in the distribution of these drugs which caused the crisis that we see today. In 2017 alone there were 47,000 deaths related to opioid overdose. In response to the crisis, NIDA listed five major priorities such as improving access to treatment and recovery services, and promoting the use of overdose-reversing drugs.

Davis responded by stating that she understood this was not the optimal time for a meeting, but explained that this was one of the only times that she, Layton and Hazel were all available at in the near future. Students also raised concerns about the makeup of the Board of Visitors, the body ultimately responsible for the presidential selection. The panel was asked about the presence of several businesspeople and the GMU Foundation — the private body that handles donations to Mason — on the panel. “[The Northern Virginia business community] is another community that is important to the university because they are our partners on so many things … they also hire a lot of our graduates when they leave

here, so it’s important to hear from them,” Hazel said of the committee at large, adding that “we were trying to put together what we think is a fairly balanced committee.” Davis stated that, “I truly believe this Board of Visitors has in its heart of hearts the true interest of the university community as its first priority.” The committee will be sending out advertisements and a job description to both local and national newspapers. However, Hazel added that “in reality, the next individual who is going to be president [is] probably ... going to be a referral or something like that. We do have a professional search consultant … People are already calling her. We have plenty of strong candidates.” According to Hazel, the search committee hopes to have the selection process done over the winter and believes that the new president will be announced at a Board of Visitors’ meeting on Feb. 27. Even with changes to the schedule, both Hazel and Davis assured students that the incoming president will not be announced while school is out of session. When asked about what the committee would like the next president to do, Hazel stated, “It’s entirely possible we might hire somebody who will not only continue current initiatives but actually bring a new one that we haven’t heard about yet.” Hazel further stated that the committee will ensure the next president continues working to prepare the school for the arrival of Amazon to NOVA. “It’s coming whether we are part of it or not, so better to be a part of it than not.”

FOUTH ESTATE JACK HARVEY

A panel with members from the Board of Visitors’ Presidential Search Committee met Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 2 p.m. to listen to students and faculty at Mason. The panel consisted of student body president Camden Layton, Vice Rector of the Board of Visitors Jimmy Hazel and Faculty Senate Chair Shannon Davis. The focus of the panel was to hear students and faculty explain their thoughts and opinions of both the selection process and Mason’s yet-to-be-decided president.

09.09.2019

NEWS

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

AMAZON HQ2 BRINGS NEW INITIATIVES TO MASON

School of Computing established to expand technology education OLIVIA VERMANE STAFF WRITER

for its HQ2, but the new headquarters are expected to increase employment opportunities in the field for future graduates.

FOURTH ESTATE BILLY FERGUSON

Although no official timeline has been announced, the plans to move forward have been confirmed by both Amazon and Mason. Arlington and its residents are already feeling the impact of the new headquarters. Mason will invest over $250 million over the next five years in order to achieve a large-scale expansion of initiatives in response to the establishment of Amazon’s HQ2, according to the university website. Amazon is set to establish its second headquarters in Crystal City — an urban neighborhood in Arlington, Virginia. The creation of the Institute for Digital InnovAtion (IDIA) is one of the university’s notable initiatives to expand enrollment in computer engineering, computer science and other related tech fields. The university describes this initiative as a “think tank and incubator to serve the digital economy,” and states that it will be the “center of innovation in computing” in Arlington. Liza Durant, the Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Community Engagement at the Volgenau School of Engineering, described IDIA as a “transdisciplinary effort to unite related research and innovation and other initiatives across the entire university under one umbrella to enable the external community ... to better engage with our faculty and programs in digital technology.” Mason is establishing the School of Computing in order to increase the population of computing students. This school — the first of its kind — will unite different areas of technology education over a variety of disciplines. Durant stated that “[the school] will bring together all aspects of computing found in every field that the university [has] ranging from art to humanities to law and business and health, and of course engineering.” The plans for these initiatives were already in motion prior to Amazon confirming Arlington

According to an article from The Washington Post, the average home price in Arlington County jumped by over $20,000 from April to May 2018.

to The Washington Post, Fuller told an Amazon official in an email that “I want to [be] helpful to your — Amazon’s — mission and objectives with respect to its move to Arlington.” Fuller disagrees with accusations of questionable ethics involved in the writing of his op-ed.

His op-ed piece was inspired by a conversation he had with an Amazon public relations representative at an event hosted by Mason, and Fuller confirmed that he was not paid by the corporation for writing his op-ed. “There wasn’t any money,” said Fuller.

“Op-ed pieces are known to be opinion pieces. They’re not academic or scholarly pieces of work,” said Fuller.

Fuller commented that the presence of Amazon signifies a shift away from Northern Virginia’s dependence on government funding.

Fuller said that while he did share his op-ed piece with Amazon before its publication, he did so with the purpose of clarifying factual information. Amazon submitted a rewrite to Fuller with further changes and Fuller rejected the revised version.

“There has been a major effort underway ... to diversify the economy, to become less dependent on the federal government,” said Fuller. “Amazon was affirmation that this region could diversify.”

“They did a major rewrite and I just rejected it all. It was my work, and that was the right thing to do,” said Fuller.

Fuller commented that he is “pleased and supportive of this as a measure that Washington is more than a company town. I think this puts Arlington on the map.”

“This is a market response to the Amazon HQ2 announcement, with investors competing with residents for a shrinking number of homes for sale,” said Terry Clower, director of Mason’s Center for Regional Analysis, according to The Washington Post. Student body president Camden Layton commented that the opportunities presented by Amazon will benefit students both during and after their time at Mason. “I am excited and curious to see how the new Amazon headquarters will change the NOVA community, and more importantly, Mason,” said Layton. “I believe that a lot of these new programs will be developed to better prepare students as a whole in the technical field rather than explicitly for Amazon.” Stephen S. Fuller, director of the Stephen S. Fuller Institute and professor at Mason, wrote an op-ed piece in The Washington Business Journal regarding the new Amazon HQ2 location in Arlington County. His op-ed was centered on how the new headquarters will impact the Northern Virginia area. “Amazon ... will continue to bolster this growth and ensure that it continues. Its presence will strengthen the regional brand and will help assure that future job growth spans a broader wage and skills spectrum,” Fuller wrote. The piece has come under fire for allegedly having been suggested to Fuller by an Amazon official before a key vote in Arlington County, according to The Washington Post. According

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NEWS

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

09.09.2019

AID FOR 16 CREDITS AFFECTS MANY

How Mason provides financial aid for tuition credits IZZ LAMAGDELEINE ASSISTANT CULTURE EDITOR

Nelly Solares did not receive any aid from Mason when the credit cap changed from 16 to 15 credits. The sophomore music education student is not sure why. Her parents have tried to help her pay for school, but her father can no longer work because of a disability. Her mother has also planned to retire after a recent accident.

of how tuition is charged,” Vice President for Student Enrollment David Burge said. “This has been something that’s been discussed for a while, but never actually acted upon.” He continued that this was a better year than most to start this policy, with Mason’s overall tuition staying frozen.

the additional credit is through the Estimated Family Contribution, which comes from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). They saw who had registered for 16 credit hours by June 1 and then looked at how much aid they could provide “just to see how far down we could go, in terms of how deep the need levels went.”

With that, every scholarship and every grant Solares applies for feels incredibly vital to her.

The total amount that the Financial Aid Office allocated to cover a 16th credit this year is $2.7 million. This comes in three forms: the 16th credit being fully covered, half covered or one third covered. He believes that the office will give out less than the $1.35 million in aid they had planned this fall.

At this time, Burge stated there are more students signed up for 16 credits currently than students who were signed up for the same amount last year. He also said that could still change, as there is no penalty for dropping a class until Sept. 9.

On May 8, 2019, less than a week after the Board of Visitors passed tuition and credit changes for the following school year, students received an email from Student Academic Affairs. It stated that aid would be provided to students the following semester to help with the credit cap change from 16 to 15 credits. A few notes were included stating that students would not be considered for funding after June 1 and that funds would first be allocated to students who have documented financial need. “This is a big change for students who have been here and have become accustomed to one way

Burge did not have an exact figure for how much his office is giving out during the semester. He cited the ever-changing nature of registration and schedule changes as a reason why. “If they drop below 16, then that aid comes off,” Burge said. “But if they then jump back above 16 because of a change in when they registered for the classes, then the aid automatically comes back on.”

Some students actively avoided taking more than 16 credits. Cassidy Pollard, a junior integrative studies major, was one of them. “This semester actually ended up such that I only needed to take 15 credits,” Pollard said. “I definitely made a significant effort to create a schedule under 16 credits in order to avoid paying extra per credit via the new calculation.” Even if a student tries to avoid taking more than 15 credits, it can be difficult for those who have to

Junior English major Ethan Reynolds took a language course that caused the number of credits he is taking this semester to increase from 12 to 18. When he checked his PatriotWeb, no signs of refund for the 16th credit could be found. “It could help a lot, as I and my family need all the financial assistance we can get,” he said. In the future, the Office of Financial Aid plans on continuing to give aid for the 16th credit. Burge stated it would be affected by the Commonwealth of Virginia and how much need-based assistance they provide, as well as the budget process. It will not be fully determined until the end of next semester, between March and May. “Right now, I see no reason why that would change,” Burge said. “Once we have all of the information together, we can make a better decision, again guided by the idea we would like to provide as much as we can to as many as we can.”

The main way that the office determines who receives what aid for

FOURTH ESTATE ALEXANDRIA MCALPINE

“Thinking about this change and how it affects both me and my parents puts a huge weight on my chest,” she wrote in a message to Fourth Estate.

take a heavy course load in order to graduate on time or stay on track.

SPORTS

09.09.2019

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE @IVESTATE_SPORTS

A PATRIOT TO REMEMBER Senior Men’s Soccer star discusses his successes and family support NATALIE HEAVREN SPORTS EDITOR

“Ryan is the consummate team player — he truly cares about the team. He’s a winner, a fighter and a Provost Scholar at Mason,” Andrulis said. Mingachos’ favorite moment in his Mason career was not a moment at all, but rather the entirety of the team’s 2018 season.

PHOTO COURTESY MASON ATHLETICS

Mingachos has enjoyed seeing the team grow from a two-win team his freshman year to a conference runner-up his junior year. “I feel like just that whole story is a moment that I’ll never forget. And this year, we’re not done. We want to go back and we want to win it this year. So the best is yet to come.”

“[Growing up] it was exactly that — soccer all the time,” he said. “And I loved it. I mean, every day, no matter whose house I was at — my uncle’s house, our house, my grandparent’s house — soccer was always on and there was always a soccer ball ready to be played with so it was awesome. I wouldn’t change anything about it.” Mingachos’ father played soccer at Western Connecticut State University, coached the school’s women’s soccer team for 19 years and is now the head coach of the men’s soccer team. His sister is currently a freshman on Quinnipiac University’s soccer team and has started the first four games this season. When he was younger Mingachos tried other sports, but neither basketball nor track ended up sticking. After scoring just four points in his first, and last, basketball season he realized the sport was not for him. Mingachos stuck with track for a little bit longer and gave it up when it started to conflict with his first love, soccer. Mingachos was encouraged by one of his coaches to play for the New York Red Bulls Academy, a team in the top tier of youth soccer in the country. “He knew I could play at the next level because he’s from England. He played

at the professional level and he saw it in me,” said Mingachos.

The primary reason he came to Mason is simple: it felt like home.

Though playing with the team opened his eyes to the reality that he could play at the next level, the Red Bulls were based in New Jersey, requiring Mingachos to travel 90 minutes each way to practice from his hometown of Danbury, Connecticut.

“Coming on my visit, Coach Andrulis and the coaching staff took me in with open arms, the team at the time took me in with open arms and I just felt most comfortable here,” he said.

Mingachos was a two-year captain for the Red Bulls and helped them to reach the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) Development Academy Finals. He also scored the game-winning goal in the MLS Generation Adidas Cup Championship. The three-hour round trip left him very little time to invest in his social life; he went to school, did his homework, left for either a 6 p.m. or 8 p.m. practice, came home, showered, ate and went to bed to repeat it all again. With his dad coaching, it was his mom who often made the drive multiple times a week to New Jersey — something Mingachos is incredibly thankful for. “I mean, the sacrifices they made for me have been unbelievable and I literally couldn’t have asked any more of them. They’ve been — if not the main reason — one of the biggest reasons why I’m here right now,” Mingachos said. Mingachos is majoring in sport management because he wants to remain in the sports world and coach at either the collegiate or professional level.

Mingachos added, “The transition from leaving, you know, Connecticut to here it was made so much easier because of that.” Having played in every game since coming to Mason in fall 2016, Mingachos has been a point of consistency for the Patriots. “I tell a lot of the guys today, we have to just take it game by game — don’t worry about the future,” he said.

However, the foundation of Mingachos’ success in soccer is his family’s support. For example, his favorite soccer moment was committing to Mason and seeing how happy his family was. “Knowing that I made the commitment and that I was going to play ... at the Division I level — just seeing my family’s faces and how happy they were for me — that’s probably the best moment throughout my career,”

Despite his family members being several states away, they have offered continuous support during the season. On Aug. 30, his mom, aunt and grandma came down to watch the team take on American University. However, his family members that cannot regularly attend home games still tune in and text their support — for better or worse. “I get the texts after every game [while I’m] walking into a locker room. ‘Good game,’ ‘Good game,’ ‘You should have scored that goal,’ ‘You should have passed that ball.’ They’re always keeping track of me,” Mingachos said with a laugh. When asked about the support he receives he responded, “It’s something that I can’t thank them enough for — both my family here and my family back at home. Just the support they’ve given me my whole life is something that I’ll never be able to thank them [enough] for. And it’s never going to stop. And it’s not just my parents and my sister. It’s literally my whole family. My aunts, my uncles, my grandparents. It’s unbelievable. And I just love them so much and I’m so thankful for that.” In his final year at Mason, Andrulis expects that, “Ryan will be a player that future Patriots hear about.”

“That’s exactly how I took these past three years,” Mingachos added. “You know, every day is a new day, every practice is a new practice. So each time I step on the field for training or for games, I just want to make sure I get better every single time I step on that field and I walk off knowing that I gave them my all.” Head coach Greg Andrulis said, “His trajectory has always been a positive one since he arrived at Mason. He is respected by his teammates and the staff who have absolute confidence in his leadership, judgment and commitment.” In the first two games of this season, Mingachos registered 11 goals and eight assists, having started all but six games in his career.

PHOTO COURTESY MASON ATHLETICS

Ryan Mingachos has been surrounded by soccer, literally, since the day he was born when his grandfather wrapped him in a scarf of a Portuguese soccer team the family follows.

He added, “We have unfinished business, to say the least. And this year, I think all the guys are focused on getting back to the final and winning it this year because we know we’re capable of doing it.”

he said.

SPORTS

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE @IVESTATE_SPORTS

09.09.2019

A HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Freshman Women’s Volleyball starter fills the shoes of vital libero position DOMENIC ALLEGRA ASSITANT SPORTS EDITOR

But not for Stephanie Der. After being “born into a family who basically lived and breathed volleyball,” Der picked up the sport of volleyball at age 10. This was due in part to her sister who started playing at a young age as well. “I would go watch her games and we would like to

go outside and pass with her, my dad and my mom,” Der said. It was also her sister who served as Der’s role model growing up. “She really pushed me to be the best I could in life and in volleyball,” Der said. “I always looked up to her. I always follow the course that she did and I was like, ‘Oh, I want to be more like her.’” It was also because of her connection to her Chinese heritage that she chose her number, 18. “I was born on

the 28th, but the 28 is kind of a big number. And also in Chinese culture, eight is a lucky number. So throughout my whole entire family, we have this whole thing of having either number eight or 18. So I choose 18.” This was not the only connection between Der’s volleyball career and her family. While attending Chantilly High School, her mom pushed her to look at Mason as an option. “Surprisingly enough … I wasn’t sure if I wanted to come, [but] my mom went here. So she was like, ‘Oh, I think you should check it out, you never know.’ And so I came here and when I walked into the gym and I met the rest of the team, it just felt normal,” Der said. The start of Der’s Mason journey actually started with head coach Aylene Ilkson recruiting another player (and now teammate), Siron Hardy. “They were playing against each other,” said Ilkson. “And on her high school team, she really stood out … She made this play on coverage that was really smart and really fast. And I was like, ‘Okay, I’m going to need to find out who that is.” Der made dig after dig in this match, which prompted Ilkson to think, “Oh, my god, who is this kid?”

FOURTH ESTATE DOMENIC ALLEGRA

Ilkson adored Der’s speed, her ability to read the court and her ability to play as an all-around player. “She was exactly what we were looking for,” Ilkson said. Despite her booming presence on the court Ilkson said that she initially came off as quiet and reserved. “[When] we started preseason she was that way and I now can see every time we play it gets more and more to the Steph I recruited, which is awesome. [That’s] what we’re looking for in a libero that has large, large shoes to fill because Catie Espinoza was so chatty and entertaining. And so I think you know, it’s funny the evolution of how Steph has

FOURTH ESTATE DOMENIC ALLEGRA

Filling the shoes of one of Mason Women’s Volleyball’s greatest players would seem daunting to a starting freshman.

come along even just in this quick amount of weeks.”

Virginia … Stephanie Der.” It was followed up by thundering applause.

Filling the shoes of the all-time leading digs leader in Mason Volleyball history will not be easy, but Ilkson thinks she found the right libero to do it.

Living in the Northern Virginia area allowed for most of Der’s family to come to her games and tournaments in high school. “My parents would come to all my club games and one of my aunts and my grandma would come to most of them,” said Der. “[So] just having all those people [there for] me it felt like home … I had my high school team there supporting me. So I’m really grateful for all the people that come and support me.”

“They’re so different in how they play and how they see the game,” Ilkson said. “And obviously, Catie wasn’t Catie overnight, she came in and she didn’t even start as a libero her freshman year. But honestly, I’m excited for Steph to come into her own and kind of make a mark on the program the way she can.” “I think she brings a little different energy, she’s really calm,” she added. “She’s really put together all the time. And I think that is something that our team can really utilize. And it’s really good for us, Catie was all the energy all the time. And that was helpful for a younger team like we had last year. And so now I think, Steph is finding her own way to make her mark and make her relationships with her teammates kind of in her own way.” After the Puerto Rico Clásico trip was cancelled due to Hurricane Dorian, Der made her collegiate debut at home. The PA announcer introduced her: “A freshman libero from Chantilly,

Der also expressed some of her emotions leading up to her first couple games. “I was nervous, but I think I’m starting to get used to the pace and like the whole environment. [It] was definitely easier having all my teammates support me and [tell] me, ‘You can do it, you can play at this level.’” The freshman is looking forward to the rest of her first year with the Women’s Volleyball team and improving her and her teammates’ game as well. But most of all Der is hoping to do something that Mason Women’s Volleyball has never done before: win the Atlantic 10 Championship. As Der starts to take over the libero position, she will be off and filling those large shoes in no time.

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Carpool to campus and park in a carpool zone. The carpool zones are available from 7am-11am Mon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Fri to anyone with a General Parking Permit, West Campus, or Lot M/P Permit. Conditions apply; more info at: https://transportation.gmu.edu/carpoolvanpool/zone/

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Join a carpool and save up to 40% on the parking permit. Find out more at https://transportation.gmu.edu/carpoolvanpool/student/

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Mason has over 1300 bike parking spots on campus, bike pumps, fixit stations, and is a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bicycle Friendly Universityâ&#x20AC;?. To find out more about bicycling to campus and to see a map of all facilities, please visit bike.gmu.edu. Bicycle Registration Register your bicycle at bike.gmu.edu and receive a free U-lock, registration sticker, and more.

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Visit shuttle.gmu.edu for updated shuttle schedules and to learn more about transportation options which save you money and help lower CO2 emissions. Download the RLS app or visit mason.ridesystems.net to track your shuttle. Schedules are available at shuttle.gmu.edu. Shuttle schedules below are subject to change.

Sandy Creek to Metro Shuttle

The shuttle runs between Sandy Creek Transit Center and Rappahannock River Ln (outgoing)/Finley Lot (incoming) on the Fairfax Campus and Vienna Metro station, including stops at Masonvale, Commerce, and Fairfax Circle (at Lee Highway & Circle Woods Drive). Weekend schedule only includes a stop at Mason Townhouses. Schedule (from Sandy Creek) 6:00am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 11:30pm Monday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Friday* 8:00am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 11:30pm Saturday-Sunday* Last pickup from Vienna is at 12:15am Mon-Fri and 12:00am Sat and Sun Global Center to Metro Shuttle The shuttle runs between Mason Global Center, the RAC, Rappahannock River Ln (outgoing)/Finley Lot (incoming), Commerce, Fairfax Circle (at Lee Highway & Circle Woods Drive) and Vienna Metro. Schedule (from Global Center) 7:10am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 10:10pm* Monday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Thursday 7:40am-9:40am* & 2:40pm-7:40pm* Friday No weekend service. *Last departure from Global Center

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The shuttle runs between Burke Centre VRE train station and Finley shuttle stop on the Fairfax Campus with stops at Sandy Creek and Masonvale (outgoing) and at Target, three stops on Zion Dr, Sandy Creek and Masonvale (incoming). The shuttle only runs when the VRE train is in service (weekdays only). Free garage parking is available at the train station.

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Schedule (from Burke VRE) 7:10am-8:00pm (plus a 10:35pm) Monday-Friday Schedule (from Finley at Mason) 7:35am-7:40pm (plus a 10:15pm) Monday-Friday

West Campus Shuttle

The shuttle route runs between West Campus, Rapidan River Rd, Field House, the RAC, Mason Pond Dr/Patriot Circle, Presidents Park, Masonvale (Patriot Circle & Staffordshire), Rappahannock River Lane, and returns by the RAC, Field House, Rapidan River Lane, to West Campus. Departures every 15 minutes (with extra service from 7-11am and 3-7pm) during the academic year. Does not run in summer. Schedule (from West Campus) 7:00am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 11:45pm Mon-Fri No Service on Saturday 2:00pm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 11:30pm Sunday

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Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x192;Â&#x2039;Â&#x17D; Â&#x192;Â&#x2022; Â&#x2022;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x2022; Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021; Â&#x2018;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â? Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x192;Â&#x2039;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020; Â&#x192;Â&#x201E;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2013; Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2019;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x203A; Â&#x17D;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2013; Â&#x2026;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2014;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022;Ç¤ Â&#x17D;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2018;ÇĄ Â&#x2026;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2026;Â? Â&#x201E;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2039;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030;Ç¤Â&#x2030;Â?Â&#x2014;Ç¤Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2014; Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D; Â&#x2014;Â&#x2019;Â&#x2020;Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022; Â&#x2018;Â? Â&#x2021;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x2022; Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2020; Â&#x2026;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2022;Â&#x2013;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2018;Â?Ç¤ â&#x20AC;˘ Â?Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â?Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2018;Â? Â&#x192;Â&#x201E;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2013; Â&#x2019;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â?Â&#x2039;Â&#x2013; Â&#x2022;Â&#x192;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022;ÇĄ Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x17D;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2021; Â&#x2026;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2013;Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2018;Â? Â&#x192;Â&#x2019;Â&#x2019;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2022;ÇĄ Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2020; Â&#x2019;Â&#x192;Â&#x203A;Â?Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2013; Â&#x2018;Â&#x2019;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2022; Â&#x2039;Â&#x2022; Â&#x192;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x192;Â&#x2039;Â&#x17D;Â&#x192;Â&#x201E;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021; Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x17D;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2021;Ç¤ â&#x20AC;˘ Â&#x17D;Â&#x2122;Â&#x192;Â&#x203A;Â&#x2022; Â&#x2026;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x192;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2013; Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â?Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030; ervices if you have questions or concerns! Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Â&#x17D;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2026;Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020; Â&#x2039;Â? Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021; Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â?Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030; Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022; Â&#x201E;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2039;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030; Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x161;Â&#x2013; Â&#x2013;Â&#x2018; Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021; Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2020;Â&#x203A; Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2021;Â? Â&#x201D;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2022;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2013; Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Ç¤ You can also call us at 703-993-2710 or email us at parking@gmu.edu.

Fairfax-SciTech Campus Shuttle

The SciTech Campus shuttle runs seven days a week between the Fairfax and SciTech campuses. On Mon-Thu, the shuttle runs every thirty minutes during most of the day. Fri hours reduced. Shuttle also stops at Manassas Mall between campuses. FREE PARKING AT MANASSAS MALL Schedule (from SciTech - Colgan) 6:00am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 11:45pm Monday â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Friday 9:00am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:00pm Saturday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sunday Schedule (from Fairfax-Sandy Creek) 6:30am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 11:45pm Monday-Friday 8:00am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6:00pm Saturday-Sunday

Gunstonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Go-Bus: Mason Route

The Gunston Go-Bus Mason route picks up at Sandy Creek shuttle stop and provides service from Fairfax Campus to Fair Lakes Center, Whole Foods (Market Commons Dr), Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax Corner, Ridge Top Road and the RAC. Schedule: 6:15amâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; 11:20pm Monday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Friday First departure from Sandy Creek at 7:05am Last departure from Sandy Creek at 10:05pm 4:15pm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 11:20pm Saturday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sunday First departure from Sandy Creek at 5:05pm Last departure from Sandy Creek at 10:05pm

Gunstonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Go-Bus: George Route

The Gunston Go-Bus George route picks up at Sandy Creek shuttle stop and provides service from Fairfax Campus to University Mall, Ridge Top Rd, Fairfax Corner, Fair Oaks Mall, and Fair Lakes Center. Schedule: 3:10 pm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 11:40pm Monday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Friday First departure from Sandy Creek at 3:15pm Last departure from Sandy Creek at 10:45pm 3:10pm - 10:10pm Saturday - Sunday First departure from Sandy Creek at 3:15pm Last departure from Sandy Creek at 9:15pm

Metro Rail

The closest Metro stop in Fairfax is the Vienna Metro station on the Orange Line. The Orange Line also goes to various locations in Washington, DC and connects to the Silver Line that serves Reston, Tysons Corner, and East Falls Church. To visit the Arlington campus, take the Orange Line to Virginia Square-GMU. Important Note: Metro schedules are subject to change. Sign up for Metro alerts at www.wmata.com/rider-guide/stations/vienna.cfm. Metro Rail Map: wmata.com/schedules/maps.

CUE Bus

All City of Fairfax CUE Buses are FREE with Mason ID. The CUE Bus picks up on the Fairfax campus at Rappahannock River Lane and can take you to various places in Fairfax City with all routes winding up at the Vienna Metro Station: cuebus.org. @MasonShuttles @Mason Parking

@MasonParking @MasonShuttles

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/MasonParkingTransportation

09.09.2019

CULTURE

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

FACES OF MASON delves into the lives of Mason students, faculty or alumni, and organizations every week. This week we take a close look at faculty Ylenia Chiari and organization Mason DREAMers INTERVIEWS BY IZZ LAMAGDELEINE AND PETER NJOROGE

FA C U LT Y, Y L E N I A C H I A R I What is your favorite thing about Mason and the community so far?

PHOTO COURTESY YLENIA CHIARI

The diversity. I love it. So I started teaching here in January, so my husband is starting now in September but I actually started in January. And the absolute things I love most about Mason is the diversity that I think in a class where there are people from, I mean, so many different countries, such a diverse background. For me, just — I feel home because, you know, I’m a foreigner myself. And I’ve been traveling a lot. And here, you know, I meet people who speak Spanish, who are Eastern European, or like, Canadians. They are like from everywhere, so it’s just, it’s just fantastic. Absolutely. What was it like studying abroad and then coming back to the U.S.?

So, first of all, when I moved to Germany for my Ph.D., I didn’t speak English. And I didn’t speak German either. So it was a bit of a traumatic experience because I was unable to communicate. So that was a very big challenge. Yeah, so when I worked in Connecticut, I had I guess a lot of — I was really homesick. A lot. Well, because my grandmother passed away. So I was not really into being in the U.S. But then I married my husband and we decided it was easier to find a job for both of us — he’s also faculty at George Mason — it was easier to find a job for both of us in the U.S. So we moved back to the U.S. —to Alabama. And I mean, for some things it was hard. For some other[s], I really like it, because [the] nature in Alabama was amazing. You know, Europe,

Europe is beautiful but it’s highly urbanized. Not a lot of easily accessible, natural [places] … Right now, I’m in Manassas. I was running and there were wild turkeys here … In Europe, it’s a bit more difficult to have this close contact with nature, unless you go to the mountains, or unless you go to more of nature reserve, so on, so on. So I really like that about the U.S. How do you try to increase the amount of women in STEM? So, especially where I was before, in Alabama, a lot of guys, girls, were encouraged to not necessarily pursue education, but just [to find] a good husband. And, you know. So I would encourage them to basically follow their dream. It’s not because they are girls they should be at home having kids. So it’s a lot of one-to-one relationship, they know that my door is always open, they can always come to talk to me.

PHOTO COURTESY KATHERINE TREJO

O R G A N I Z AT I O N , M A S O N D R E A M E R S

Can you tell me a little bit about the organization? Basically our mission is to create a more inclusive environment for our Undocumented, DACAmented

and [temporary protected status] students, as well as being able to teach [Undocu]Allies how to be Allies and what they can do versus what they should be careful of.

So, what do you have planned for this year? For this year, we’re actually implementing this new event that will be a bi-weekly meeting until we see where it goes. It’s called UndocuTalk.

Each meeting that we’ll have for it will be a new discussion and a new question. Most of them will probably be political. But, in the beginning, it’s more of helping the students adjust, especially if they’re transfers or freshmen and like what do they need help with, if there’s anything that they’ve encountered already, any bumps in the road that we can maybe help them with. Things like that. But it will mostly be a space where they can talk about how they feel, ask questions. A lot of the times we’ll help with DACA renewal like ‘Where can you go? How much would you have to pay? Who can help you?’ So that’s kind of what UndocuTalk will be for. Just for these students to come out and talk a little bit. What does it look like to be a general member of Mason DREAMers?

So, a general member would be someone who likes to come out to the events that we do or wants to know more like how to help. Last year, I was just a member but it kind of, like, there wasn’t an actual intern tier, so we’re just implementing that again this year, so it was kind of like I was a general member but I also helped eboard. So at least to me, last year, it was a lot of like going to the eboard meetings, learning about what’s going on behind the scenes, but this year it’s more like a little going back. We understand that college is stressful, so we don’t want our general members to feel like they have to be working a lot with us. So it’s kind of like just coming out to the events, enjoying it. Some general members will volunteer here and there for the meetings.

09.09.2019

CULTURE

FOURTH ESTATE ELIJAH NICHOLS

PRIDE ALLIANCE TAKES OFF IN NEW DIRECTIONS

Pride Alliance continues to be a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community TRAVIS MCMILLAN STAFF WRITER

Now celebrating their 30th year as an organization at Mason, Pride Alliance is a group focused around making Mason safer and more inclusive for LGBTQ+ students. This year, President Elijah Nichols shows no signs of stopping that progress. Nichols first got involved with the group in 2018, attending a few meetings on campus. “Pride Alliance [hasn’t always] been run the best, whether it’s making sure that all voices are heard, or just a lack of structure,” Nichols said. “But that’s sort of why I wanted to become any part of the board member with Pride Alliance, because I want to make sure that the LGBTQ+ community on campus is supported in every way possible.” What he hopes to further achieve in 2019 aligns neatly with the organization’s fivepoint mission statement. It speaks of their their goals to create a safe community and, in bigger hopes, a safer world, for LGBTQ+ students. Another is to make sure that those who are not a part of the group are knowledgeable about the community. One change Pride Alliance will be making this school year involves politics. This year will be the first where they will allow the group to be political. In the past, the group was not politically active. Nichols believes this is an important deviation to make. “Our rights are on the line constantly, our livelihoods aren’t respected and we have to make sure we are fighting for that,” he said. With this newfound political drive, Nichols hopes to

form a coalition, specifically with student-run private organizations, to bolster the national LGBTQ+ rights movement. Nichols also hopes to get the organization involved in bigger events, such as the Trans Visibility March which occurs during the end of September. Pride Alliance will also host a Generation Ratify phone bank that will be held to call Virginians and inform them about pro-Equal Rights Amendment candidates in the hopes of getting them into elected office. Lulu Kelemen, the group’s advisor and the Assistant Director of LGBTQ+ Resources, feels that this was a necessary adjustment. “I’m excited about this new direction because the students are really saying, ‘Well, you know, it’s nice to have a group and a place for people to meet, kind of, regardless of political stuff, but we do have an opinion, and we do want to make some moves,’” Kelemen said. Besides the five-point mission statement that Pride Alliance pledges itself by, individual goals held by members of the organization have also shone through. Some are meant to create a safer space for LGBTQ+ folks on campus, while others strive to help create a social atmosphere for students to thrive in. Outside of collaborations with other organizations, Nichols hopes to hold a weekly meeting for the organization. Each meeting would include a specific activity, such as screening a film or hosting a game night. “We have ... speed dating but for friends,

where it’s ... trying to get to know someone in a really quick setting and then switching to another person,” Nichols said. These meetings are meant to create a place for LGBTQ+ students to congregate and be social with one another while having fun in the process. Kelemen’s goals are focused on creating more comfortable spaces at Mason. They explained, “There are many ways that our office is working to change the preferred name policy to a chosen name policy, and have that apply to faculty and staff and not just students.” They hope when a student or faculty member has a chosen name, it automatically updates across all of Mason’s systems. Pride Alliance Secretary Fe Miranda has big ideas for the way they hope to better the community. They plan to “make sure everyone feels included, no matter their race, religion, ethnicity, sexuality [or] gender. Any aspect of your life.” The other goal Miranda hopes to accomplish is making sure Mason buildings have gender-inclusive bathrooms. At the very least, they want an updated list of where those bathrooms are. One of the objectives they hope to accomplish is to host Lavender Orientation, an event held to introduce LGBTQ+ students to Mason, over the summer as an extended orientation experience. They hope to give incoming freshmen a taste of the LGBTQ+ services Mason can offer.

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

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CULTURE

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

09.09.2019

MORE MONEY, LESS PROBLEMS How to find scholarships for college LAURA SCUDDER COPY EDITOR

Ah, how does one pay for school, you ask? Is it through grit, determination and struggle? Yes. However, the real answer is money. Whether you get a full scholarship to a university or are paying your bill completely out-of-pocket, universities run, in part, on money from students.

Per Mason’s Student Accounts website, in-state students pay a tuition of $4,530

for 12-15 credit hours, meaning they qualify as full-time students. Out-ofstate students pay $16,260. These rates are for the fall 2019 semester and do not include fees for textbooks, parking passes or housing — some of those who live on campus are also required to have a meal plan. Some students receive little federal or university aid, and must pay for school either by themselves or with the help of their parents. But some of us do not have the ability to manage those costs without extra help — and this is where loans, grants and scholarships come in. Now, I don’t want to make anyone depressed by talking about the crushing weight of student loan debt. With that being said, dear reader, it might be best to focus on scholarships.

FOURTH ESTATE BILLY FERGUSON

The pressure to find scholarships

is often put on the individual. It is important to recognize that the need to find scholarships, grants, loans and other ways to pay for college only exists due to the astronomical amount of money universities charge for attendance.

The external scholarships, which Mason lists on its financial aid website, are helpful, but they do not even begin to cover the amount of scholarships out there. Outside scholarships —

meaning ones not offered by Mason — can prove highly significant to the amount of financial aid one receives. All scholarships are different. Not all scholarships require bountiful, hyper-emotional essays (but some do, so get writing!). There are options out there for the busiest of bees. Niche is a great resource, awarding a $2,000 no-essay scholarship randomly to one student every month. It also points students in the direction of other websites which may be of help. Another good resource is Scholarship Points. This platform allows you to create an account and enter drawings for different amounts. Every time you log in, you get to enter points to the reward of your choice. Simple and easy. It is also important to note that these systems depends on the luck of the draw, so it is best to not get discouraged if you don’t win. Scholly is another outlet. The site provides some of the best resources to find outside scholarships. Using it, you create a profile that matches you

with eligible scholarships. From there, it is up to you to look at your list of matched scholarships and apply to the ones you chose — the ones that best fit you. Not only does Scholly provide resources for students to find scholarships, it also partners with other organizations to give their own awards to students. Currently, Scholly is partnering with Graduate Hotels to give three students $50,000 each to either pay off student loans or to use as a scholarship in their continued education. However, it requires a subscription that costs $44.99 a year. This expense might not be feasible to all students, though it may be worth it in the end. Just applying doesn’t guarantee that you will receive scholarships. They are difficult to find, and can be difficult to get. What’s important is that you keep trying and keep applying. You may not get the scholarships you want at first, but you can’t get any if you never try. There is something out there for everybody.

MASON STUDENTS LEAVE THEIR MARK

Community signs beam going into new building IZZ LAMAGDELEINE ASSISTANT CULTURE EDITOR

about themselves, from their name and graduating year to what sorority they are part of.

The beam was available for students to sign from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. between the construction site and Fenwick Library. Since the signing, the beam has been placed in the new building’s MIX space.

“I’m graduating … in the spring and I won’t be here to actually see the whole building in its full glory,” environmental science major Ridhima Bhatia said. “And so since I won’t be here, I wanted to leave a little piece of myself in the building.”

The idea came about when Mason administration was brainstorming how to keep the community engaged in the construction process, project manager Cathy Pinskey wrote in an email to Fourth Estate.

Many different reasons were given for why people wanted to sign the beam, including students taking pride in their educational investment to being a part of the Mason community after graduation.

Working with the designers of the building and the contractor, an exposed beam in the MIX was chosen so that it would visible once the construction was complete.

“Just thinking that my name is on there and at one point that my grandkids might be able [to] come here and [be] like, ‘Hey, my [grandma’s] name’s on there,’” sophomore government and international politics major Abel Nyangoro said. “It’s just [one of] those

Students wrote important information

cool things that make you want to do [it].” Faculty at Mason also signed the beams — including Interim President Anne Holton. Holton signed a beam

Wednesday morning with Eileen FillerCorn, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. As previously reported, the new academic building is scheduled to

be opened for classes in spring 2021. The superstructure is scheduled to be completed fall 2019, while the exterior is to be completed in the spring 2020.

FOURTH ESTATE ALEXANDRIA MCALPINE

Patriots left their legacy on campus Aug. 27–29 as they signed a beam that will be placed in the new academic building.

CULTURE

09.09.2019

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

HIDDEN HANGOUTS: WOODY’S ICE CREAM

Happiness in a scoop in Fairfax City AHMED FARID STAFF WRITER

Less than a ten-minute drive from the Fairfax campus, Woody’s Ice Cream is located in the heart of Fairfax City. Woody’s has established itself as one of the best and most beloved local ice cream shops in the area over the last 20 years. The store is open seven days a week from noon to 9 p.m. The taste of their products is matched in pleasantness by the decorations in the shop. Stepping into Woody’s feels like stepping into your childhood fantasy of what an ice cream store should be. Bright colors both inside

and outside the store help set a tone that amplifies the whole experience.

ice cream in a waffle cone, a chocolate waffle cone or a sugar cone.

When you enter the store, you will be greeted by a large ice cream monument that helps work up your appetite. The inside of the store is filled with pictures of satisfied customers devouring their ice cream.

And if ice cream isn’t what you’re craving, Woody’s still has you covered. You can try some of their homemade

brownies, or treat yourself to a strawberry shortcake, or a s’more. I personally recommend the banana split. Make sure that between classes and assignments you take your friends and

stop by Woody’s Ice Cream. With a great menu and affordable prices, you will find that Woody’s has something to offer everyone.

If you happen to go on a pleasant day, you can eat your ice cream sitting on the benches in the open air. Or, better yet, you can enjoy your dessert while walking around Fairfax City looking at the beautiful buildings. FOURTH ESTATE PETER NJOROGE

Even though summer is almost over, there is probably never a time when anyone will say no to ice cream. With the giant workload that we have, it’s good to give yourself a treat now and then. That’s why when you want to take a break, you should head over to North Street and treat yourself to Woody’s delicious ice cream.

Unlike most ice cream shops, Woody’s does its best to make sure there is something for everyone. With more than 20 flavors, you are guaranteed to find something you will love. In addition, Woody’s offers more than the traditional cone or cup; you can choose to enjoy your

A STUDY OF TRADITIONAL ART IN CONTEMPORARY TUSCANY Fenwick Gallery hosts student exhibit called “Extended Image: The Allure of the Locale” NAYOMI SANTOS STAFF WRITER

The Fenwick Gallery’s goal is to be a space for enquiry. The current exhibit, “Extended Image: The Allure of the Locale,” enquires about space itself. The works currently on display were created by a group of five students who participated in a Mason summer study abroad program in Tuscany in 2018. The five artists — Lauren

Patrizi Carpenter, Kime Howard, Michaela Japec, Rachel Quinn and Setareh Sabti — were led by Mary Del Popolo, art professor in the Mason School of Art, and assistant professor Maria Karametou. The location of the study abroad was Serravezza, Italy, near the same mountains where Michelangelo would

collect marble for his famous sculptures. In fact, Michelangelo stayed in the same area as the students during his time employed by the Medici family. Del Popolo incorporated a book of Michelangelo’s letters that described his time in Serravezza, giving the students a first-hand look at what inspired the artist during that time. This history and tradition of the region heavily inspired the art that the Mason students were to make.

FOURTH ESTATE RICK GIRARD

An important theme in the class was a sense of place. Del Popolo said that designating that place was very important. The class itself was very open-ended. As a result, there was a unity created within the group from the very beginning that led to a lot of verbal collaboration. They also had the freedom to use whatever medium they wanted, be it painting, sculpture or photography. “[The students] had the opportunity to invent, discover … make [the artwork] what they want,” Del Popolo said.

The class was made up of mostly seniors who had already gone through many art courses. Therefore, Del Popolo and Karametou trusted them to create without close guidance. In addition, they had the opportunity to have a space within the studio to call their own, a prelude to what an artist’s life could be. “Everybody contributed … to what they felt was important to them in their response to that experience,” Del Popolo said. As much as history and tradition were a point of emphasis in the class, contemporary art also played an important role in Del Popolo’s teachings, particularly when the class visited the MAXXI, a contemporary art museum in Rome. “The show was amazing,” Del Popolo said. “We were there for hours ... [the students] were so fed by all that they saw … they had the juxtaposition of the [traditional and contemporary].” As in any course, especially when it comes to art, each student took away

something different and made it their own. For instance, Rachel Quinn created a piece called “Surfaces of Hidden Worlds,” in which she examined “surfaces within the surrounding environments,” Quinn wrote. Another student, Lauren Patrizi Carpenter, is a teacher herself and thus had a different experience. “Taking a broader view of this piece of my personal experience in particular continues to remind me to be more empathetic in my own classroom when my students struggle to make art that is important and meaningful,” she wrote. This is the first time that students who participated in this course have had the opportunity to display their work in the Fenwick Gallery. “This show was most unified in terms of students and experiences,” Del Popolo said. On Wednesday, Sept. 11, there will be an artists’ talk held in the Fenwick Library at 2 p.m. The exhibit will remain in the gallery through Sept. 27.

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OPINIONS Opinions do not reflect the views of Fourth Estate. Submit opinions to ckernans@gmu.edu

09.09.2019

VIDEO GAMES AND VIOLENCE

ARIANNA GOODMAN STAFF WRITER

While it should go without saying, not all video games are violent. There are those who would like to see all video games banned, deeming them mindless entertainment. However, video games provide stimulation and challenges that can not be attained through more passive activities like reading books, listening to music and watching movies. Such interactivity sets video games apart and makes it an easy topic

on which to ignorantly blame the world’s problems. It is a relatively new industry and, as is the trend, it has always been regarded with some degree of suspicion. Even those who are genuinely aiming to find the causes of these tragedies are susceptible to falling into an “everything new is bad” mentality. As for the games that are truly violent, I am open to the concept that these violent video games played by young children can have a negative impact on their lives. After all, their brains are still growing. However, even in this scenario, the onus would be on the parent to ensure that their children are only being exposed to what they can handle. Video games already have a rating system and, much like movies and books, they can be and often are curated for specific audiences. However, violent video games should have little to no effect on adults. In fact, such games could prove cathartic

and provide healthy outlets for anger, pain and aggression. Studies suggest that while the rate of video game sales has been dramatically increasing, the

Additionally, the argument for the correlation between video games and violent crimes seems to always be politically charged. Rather than

To insinuate that violent video games alone are a major contributor to that statistic is irresponsibly ignorant. Almost every other firstworld country has access to the same violent video games and yet, the U.S. has unprecedented gun violence in comparison.

FOURTH ESTATE ALEX TRUSTY

In recent years, plenty of arguments have been suggesting that the recent epidemic of violent crimes — like mass and school shootings — are the result of video games, particularly violent video games. According to such arguments, violence begets violence and having so much of it available to the public is naturally a recipe for disaster. This train of logic is simple and makes some amount of sense and yet, there are several reasons why video games alone are not to blame.

average rate of violent crimes has not. Furthermore, some studies have even linked an increase of violent video game sales with a decrease of certain violent crimes.

genuinely trying to solve the issues of gun violence in America, it often appears that people would rather find various scapegoats or hot-button topics to narrow in on.

In order to truly find out the solution to a country-specific problem, one should first look at country-specific factors— such as our guns per capita, mental healthcare programs and education system just to name a few. Perhaps the problem has nothing to do with video games, but rather how we consume media and the importance of pop culture in our daily lives. After all, violence in the media is just the surface of the problem and instead of arguing about these things, maybe we should take the opportunity to listen and discuss the deeper cultural issues affecting the nation.

MASON IS A COMMUTER SCHOOL

CHRISTOPHER KERNAN-SCHMIDT OPINION EDITOR

According to the university’s fact sheet for 2018, only 25 percent of undergraduate students live on campus. That is a large majority (over 18,000 undergraduates) of students who drive, walk, bike, carpool, bus or otherwise have to commute to campus each week. There is no arguing that Mason is a commuter school, so why is Mason not working towards becoming the best school for its largest population? According to Mason’s housing website, there are approximately 30 professional staff and over 200 student employees serving the needs of 25 percent of its undergraduate population. On the other end of the spectrum, Off-Campus Student Services’ website lists only 11 total staff (both student and professional) serving a customer base of nearly triple that of housing. Clearly, there is a discrepancy.

Located in the bottom level of the Hub, there is a little-known office called the Off-Campus Student Lounge. It likely seats at max 20 or so students. Twenty out of the thousands that are on campus each day. In reality, the Johnson Center has become the focal point in any commuter’s day and it is the off-campus student lounge that thousands resort to each day. Why is it that such an important population of students must share a few hundred wooden seats, stained couches and a noisy atmosphere? I lived on campus my first year, and I distinctly remember being bombarded by events aimed at those who lived on campus. Mason does a fabulous job ensuring that students who live on campus are afforded opportunities to get involved in campus life and feel like part of the community. Mason also provides resident and community assistants who are readily available to answer questions, mediate disputes, help you get involved and

sometimes be your first friends on campus. I cannot help but wonder where that support network is for off-campus students. Many new off-campus students either live alone or with their families and sometimes

fabulous opportunity, yet there is one fatal flaw – off-campus support for those students is lacking.

FOURTH ESTATE ALEXANDRIA MCALPINE

Mason is a commuter school. Step into the administrative offices in Merten Hall and dare to utter those cursed words and I imagine one would be near exiled for such a statement. Certainly that is hyperbole, but the point is not far from the truth.

you just need someone other than Mom and Dad to talk to. Yet we are not afforded the same interpersonal assistance that some of our peers are receiving. Mason is proud of its partnership with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) to offer a pathway directly into a four-year degree at our institution. It is an amazing plan and a

Many who choose to go to NOVA for the first half of their undergrad do so to save money and when they inevitably transfer to Mason, it is unlikely they will spend thousands of dollars to live on campus. Mason boasts about this wonderful program, but with the lack of support for these students outside of the classroom how will attending Mason be any different that their experience at NOVA? At least at NOVA everyone was an off-campus student. Mason should be prioritizing these students’ experiences so that they look back on their time at Mason as an opportunity that helped them grow outside of the classroom and not merely an extension of NOVA. Additionally, and perhaps most appalling, is that Mason seems so determined to erase its status as a commuter school that it has decided to rename the Office of Off-Campus Student Services to the Office of Contemporary Student Services. According

Merriam-Webster,

contemporary is marked by the characteristics of the present period. Mason recognizes that off-campus -- whoops sorry -- contemporary students are the students of today, yet fails to provide adequate support for these students. Tomorrow’s students will still transfer from NOVA, be unable to afford on-campus housing, live at home, live with roommates, work full-time, have families and still be off-campus. You cannot get rid of us. Mason began as a commuter school and I dearly hope it will strive to be the best commuter school it can be. Do not ignore us or hide us by calling us “contemporary.” I want to end by saying that complaining is easy, so I am open and eager to meet with administrators and fellow students to come up with realistic solutions to best help. I also recognize that the Office of Contemporary Student Services is a very accommodating and welcoming office and I imagine they are trying their best with so few resources. This is not an attack on the office, but rather a discussion on the lack of institutional support overall.

09.09.2019

OPINIONS Opinions do not reflect the views of Fourth Estate. Submit opinions to ckernans@gmu.edu

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YOUR FIRST “F” ISN’T A FAILURE

SYDNEY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER

“‘F’ - Try harder next time. Needs more emphasis.” That feeling. That awful feeling you get from seeing that “F” across your own paper that you spent hours working on, maybe only 30 minutes, maybe even less than that. It sucks not getting a good grade on work that you did for a class. Nonetheless, not every

FOURTH ESTATE BILLY FERGUSON

Ah, yes. That gut-wrenching feeling you get when you look around at everyone getting their tests handed back to them in class and hear different waves of sighs, groans and slamming of papers on desks from students who can’t even bear to look at their grade. Then, the professor reaches your desk and hands you back your test:

“F,” or even your very first “F,” on an assignment is a sign that you are never going to do well on anything ever again in your college career. As students, especially college students, we have a huge responsibility to readjust ourselves to any new environment we are put in, whether that is a different class, learning about different topics, testing out skills or real-life situations involving our intended major. Whatever the case may be, that one failing grade that you got on an assignment usually doesn’t dictate if you will be successful or not in any of these categories. It especially does not dictate your intelligence. “F” can mean failing. It can mean

you didn’t meet the expectations at all for a certain assignment. However, it does mean that there is room for improvement. It can also mean there is room to try again. Learn from the mistakes you make on assignments such as grammar errors or fact checks. Perhaps it means even starting over your entire assignment. It does not mean that you should stop where you are. Personally, as a freshman I am starting off with a positive outlook on my grades and how well I know I will do this year. You may be thinking, “This girl definitely doesn’t know what’s coming her way,” but I can assure you that I do. The best way that I have always dealt with my grades — whether they are good are bad — is just always having a positive attitude about what I recieve. Every failing or low grade I have received on my work in the past didn’t stop me from getting to where I am today. The way that I see it is that it is an opportunity to know what not to do next time on a certain

assignment, test, online module, etc. I know for a fact that down the road during the next four years, if I receive a failing grade on an assignment I will not necessarily let it break me down, but I will let it lift me up to become more prepared for other obstacles or lessons I encounter. If you are always hard on yourself whenever you get a bad grade, it will essentially do the opposite of motivating you to “get better” and will end up making you become more insecure and unsure about future assignments and how much effort you put into them. And if you really think about it, when you are in the next chapter of your life pursuing whatever dream you have for yourself, the last thing you are going to be thinking about is how you failed that one narrative paper in your COMM 101 class. Needless to say, we are all in the same boat and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

DARLINGTON, BABY! THE SOUTHERN 500

The modern 36-race season of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series features races from California to New Hampshire and you better believe it’s all televised — the rights are worth about $8 billion. The top ten in the standings includes drivers hailing from Nevada, Connecticut, New Jersey, Michigan and California, in addition to Virginia and Georgia. And, unlike Junior Johnson, none of them have been arrested for running moonshine. (Though President Reagan pardoned him — like it never even happened!) What the sport (yes, it is a sport, there

will be no debate) has lost in mystique and legend it has gained in quality and competitiveness. The cars are on the cutting edge of engineering and safety and the days of one driver like Richard Petty (“The King,” long may he reign) winning 10 or more races in a season (which he did eight times, peaking at 27 victories in 1967) are long gone. But one weekend per year, NASCAR throws it back. One weekend per year, the teams plaster on new advertising that blankets the cars to allow for throwback paint schemes and NASCAR reverts to old branding in its promotional materials. One weekend per year, they go back to the track that started it all, to the first superspeedway, nicknamed The Lady in Black and The Track Too Tough to Tame, to a 6,000-person town in the middle of nowhere in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. Darlington, baby! The Southern 500! The first Southern 500 was held on Labor Day weekend in 1950, after the track was built in a strange oval shape to accommodate a minnow pond on a

farmer’s property. The minnow pond is gone, but that strange oval shape persists to this day, much to drivers’ chagrin. The difficulty of Darlington Raceway is unparalleled and drivers often finish the race with “Darlington stripes” — streaks on the sides of their cars where they grazed the wall at over 150 miles per hour. They aren’t “just driving around in a circle” — it’s hard work keeping a 3,600-pound car going stupid fast for over three hours with 39 other sweaty drivers trying to do the same thing, hearts pounding, on the same narrow track. Oh yeah, and everyone really, really wants to finish those 500 miles first. They’re willing to push and beat and bang and ram their way to the top and you’d best be ready for anything. There’s only one response to those who say anyone can do it: I’d like to see you try. The naysayers almost won too. In 2003, the Southern 500 was moved from Labor Day weekend, attendance suffered, the track deteriorated and the race weekend was on life support. However, in 2012, the good folks at Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ‘n

Biscuits said, “By golly, that name ain’t Southern enough!” and ponied up the money to christen it the Bojangles’ Southern 500. Then, in one of the greatest successes in sports promotion history, NASCAR moved the race back to Labor Day weekend and turned it into a throwback race in 2015. Finally, three hours before this year’s race, the track announced, like an ancient messenger with good news from the battlefield, that they sold it out. That’s right, the Southern 500 sold out just like old times, but with the twentyfirst century twist that it trended on Twitter all night long. At a time when it seems like incompetence is ruling the day everywhere we look, it’s enlivening to see the Southern 500 flourish again. It’s a good old-fashioned success story, as was this year’s feel-good winner, a struggling Erik Jones. The Almighty made us earn it — the race was delayed four hours and didn’t finish until 2:00 a.m. — but nothing beats seeing The Lady in Black shine in a way that only she can. Darlington, baby! The Southern 500!

FOURTH ESTATE BILLY FERGUSON

DOMINIC PINO STAFF WRITER

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is not what it used to be. NASCAR (see what they did there?) used to be a sport for Southerners, by Southerners. In 1965 when Tom Wolfe pronounced driver Junior Johnson “the last American hero,” nearly all the best drivers were from Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, or the Carolinas. The 1965 season of the (unsponsored) Grand National Series comprised of 55 races, mostly Southern and rarely televised.

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OPINIONS Opinions do not reflect the views of Fourth Estate. Submit opinions to ckernans@gmu.edu

09.09.2019

FRESHMAN, YOU GOT THIS!

SUMMER BROWN STAFF WRITER

The first couple of weeks of college are done. For some, it is the very first weeks of college in their life and for others it’s been the same old, same old. Upperclassmen? You have it all figured out by now and you’re a pro at this. Freshmen? Perhaps you have figured it out by now or perhaps you haven’t. If you haven’t — that’s okay. College is a very stressful time for everyone with all the different

transitions of independence, responsibility, friend-making and everything involving what to do with the next few steps in your life. A lot of people make mistakes here and plenty of others learn valuable life-long lessons. Some take longer to understand how to survive than others. That’s absolutely okay. If you’re one of the people who are struggling with something, I think I have a few tips to help you. I’ve learned through this very same experience. The first thing that I think is absolutely helpful for freshmen is to get involved on campus. I remember hearing this phrase everywhere and to hear it again seems ridiculous, I know.

FOURTH ESTATE BILLY FERGUSON

However, I think it’s incredibly important to join a campus organization because it allows you to do something aside from focusing all of your attention on studying and classes. It gives you a break from it all with the additional opportunity to make friends. I remember hearing

advice telling me that if I didn’t get involved, I wouldn’t know anybody. I think this is absolutely true because I would not have met any of my friends otherwise. The second thing I think is helpful for freshmen is to surround yourself with the right people -- the people who you want to be like. I remember receiving this piece of advice from a teacher in high school who explained to me specifically how and why it was vital. Both the world and college are so big, so why would you want to waste your time with people who cause you grief ? Why wouldn’t you spend time with people who have the same interests as you? Why wouldn’t you spend time with people who inspire you? Why wouldn’t you spend time with people who have traits that you wish you had? My teacher gave me this advice because spending time with the wrong people can lead you astray of what you want out of life. If you spend time with the right people, they should

uplift you and amazing opportunities will present themselves to you. The third piece of advice for freshmen is to not be afraid of asking for help. I remember that I was endlessly told as a kid that asking for help was a bad thing. Surprisingly … it’s not! Asking for help is absolutely amazing because it shows a lot about you. It shows that you’re trying, engaged, willing to learn and cooperative — all traits employers are looking for in future employees. It’s absolutely and always okay to ask for help because you wouldn’t be able to advance forward if you did not ask. The fourth tip for freshmen is to not be afraid of stepping outside of your comfort zone. In high school, I was constantly afraid to put myself out there and refrained from doing activities that made me uncomfortable — even though they would impact me positively. I learned from that mistake and

made sure it didn’t happen in college. So far, I’ve been loving what I’ve accomplished and loving the fact that I’ve stepped outside of my comfort zone. These experiences have had such a positive impact on my life, future career goals and academics, so much so that I still don’t understand what I was scared of. I sort of think of the saying, “high risk, high reward,” in this context. If I hadn’t taken these risks, I think I would be regretting a lot by now. The very final tip for freshmen is to pursue your own happiness. Do what makes you happy. Doing things that make you upset and unhappy can be very taxing on yourself in many ways. If you have spent time doing such activities, then you have definitely struggled much more than you needed to. This can be applied to everything — hobbies, academics, careers … you name it! You need to do what makes you happy because it’s your life. You shouldn’t be miserable while living it.

DEAR NRA, KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OUR POLITICS In the 24 hours between Aug. 3 and Aug. 4, 29 people were killed and 53 were injured by firearm-wielding home-grown terrorists.

The Gun Violence Archive (GVA) defines a mass shooting as any incident in which four or more people are shot and/or killed in a single event, not including the shooter. The Aug. 4 shooting in Dayton, Ohio marked the third mass shooting of the week and the 295th mass shooting in just 216 days of 2019.

But mass shootings are getting harder to ignore as they become more frequent and more deadly. Eight of the last ten deadliest mass shootings in the United States have happened in just the past ten years. In November of last year, the American College of Physicians (ACP) even published a paper that stated, “Firearm violence continues to be a public health crisis in the United States that requires the nation’s immediate attention.”

The bloody aftermath of the shooting this past Saturday in Odessa, Texax was an all too familiar scene. By the GVA’s definition, the death of seven individuals in Odessa marked the 340th mass shooting of 2019. America has become a nation plagued by the highest rate of homicides by firearm in the developed world.

Following the publication of this paper, the National Rifle Association (NRA) tweeted at the ACP, telling them to “stay in their lane.” This comes despite the fact that hundreds of victims from mass gun violence lie bleeding out on emergency room tables across the country at everincreasing rates.

Suddenly desensitized to these mass killings, society has normalized shootings. Coverage of such large losses of life barely lasts a week in the news cycle, with much discussion around gun policy occurring in a single day, before the story disappears completely. Many are not even covered at all.

Political officials, however, look to put the blame on video games or on mental health; anything to avoid recognizing the larger systemic issues at hand. Why, you might wonder? While it is reported that only about one in five gun owners are members of the NRA, it is still one of the most

politically influential and polarizing organizations in the country. Over the past three years, the NRA has upped their contributions to lawmakers, with the annual amount of money allocated for lobbying rising from $3 million per year to $5 million in 2017.

counts at mass shootings.

The NRA’s donations to election campaigns of candidates who oppose gun control laws allow it to continue to have a political chokehold on what can actually be accomplished in legislation, leaving too many Americans questioning the system and doubting the potency their vote has.

Though it seems that today the

The group also creates narratives that pit gun control supporters against the Second Amendment in a desperate effort to drum up paranoia amongst gun owners. In actuality, these groups want to strengthen the rights owed by the amendment to law-abiding gun owners. During the 1960s, federal and state gun laws restricted most shotguns to three rounds and semiautomatic rifles and handguns to 20 rounds. Gun companies were flourishing and gun owners and anti-gun individuals alike were satisfied with reasonable restrictions on firearms. And most importantly, they could limit body

Today, AR-15s with drum magazines can hold up to 300 rounds. The Dayton shooter was able to kill nine and injure 27 people in just 32 seconds. His AR-15 had a 100-round magazine. 32 seconds.

NRA’s money speaks more loudly than the blood being shed across this nation. If the NRA continues to spread its falsified narrative about the desecration of the Second Amendment and if it continues to shovel money into politicians’ pockets, this nation can expect to see zero progress in sensible gun legislation.

FOURTH ESTATE ALEXANDRIA MCALPINE

SAVANNAH MARTINCIC STAFF WRITER

09.09.2019

OPINIONS Opinions do not reflect the views of Fourth Estate. Submit opinions to ckernans@gmu.edu

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MASON: OBSERVATIONS FROM A GEN Z FRESHMAN ELI KOHN STAFF WRITER

Just moments ago I was pacing circles in my dorm to pass time. Not hungry, all work is done, I studied until I couldn’t study any more. So, what now? Start a GoFundMe so I can join a frat? Now, it’s very easy to say, “Well there’s so much to do on campus!” But the truth is, while the average person might find plenty to do, an overwhelmed, stressed out, displaced eighteen-yearold is not the average person. Raised on cellphones and social media, expecting the world to come to me, the college environment has suddenly forced me — and all freshman — to break that shell and physically engage with the world.

In high school the routine is to go to school, see people you’ve known for possibly the greater part of your life, leave school and hang out with those people during free time. Here … I know nothing. I’m almost inclined to sit in my dorm, look at my phone, do some homework now and then and go to bed. But obviously, that’s not the answer (right?).

bother looking at my phone. There’s plenty to entertain me just looking around!

of it. Enrolling at a party school could mean rigorous school work for you, if that’s what you make of it.

Dear freshmen, and anyone else who needs to hear it, the truth about university is that it is what you make

At Mason especially, there are so many opportunities and engaging activities to participate in that I’m almost mad

at myself for trying to ignore them. So, the next time you want to sit in your dorm, scroll through Instagram and wish you were doing something, keep in mind that you always could be!

So, what can I do besides whine in this article to the strangers who read it? Well, there’s a whole university waiting for me.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEXIS GLENN/ Mason Creative Services

Well, freshmen, we’re here. The last few years of our lives have been leading up to this. We’ve killed ourselves to make it here — so, is it everything you dreamed? The parties, the classes, the work, the food, the student life … is this exactly what you expected?

I walk outside. I get my bike. I move about the Fairfax hills — half the time working out, the other half cruising with the wind in my hair — and go to the Recreation and Athletic Complex (RAC). Three gyms are here at Mason — is that not enough for me? Just walking around campus, there are students engaged in activities everywhere that I initially ignored, sheltered in my shyness. I don’t even

MAINTAINING GOOD PHYSICAL HEALTH AS A COLLEGE STUDENT CLAUDE MCVICKER STAFF WRITER

PHOTO COURTESY OF MASON RECREATION

Staying physically fit in college can be a challenge, and for good reason. After all, one of the major things that sets college apart from high school is the workload students receive. According to the Association of American Colleges & Universities, students are expected to spend two hours of work/ study time for every one hour spent in

class. Combine this with working a job or internship, participating in clubs, seeing friends and the many other activities college students can partake in, and you don’t find yourself with much time to devote to staying fit. Furthermore, whilst doing the research for this article, I came across the term “Freshman 15” for the first time. This

refers to when college freshmen gain 15 pounds as a result of the significant change in lifestyle that they experience when starting college. However, rest assured that there are simple changes you can implement to your college life to help you stay fit all while not being time consuming. The first and maybe most surprising thing you can do to help fight weight gain is to eat snacks! Although one may think that eating more than three meals a day would lead to weight gain, the opposite is actually true to an extent. Eating snacks when you begin to feel hungry can help you avoid bingeing later in the day. Eating snacks has also been shown to raise ones basal metabolic rate, a measure of how many calories you

are burning while at rest. However, “snacks” does not mean junk food. Try eating fruit, nuts, berries, guacamole or Greek yogurt, among other healthy things. Secondly, make sure to stay hydrated. This is something I learned while wrestling in high school, as I had to lose weight to wrestle at a certain weight class. In sports that require cutting weight, many athletes make the mistake of barely eating or drinking before weighing in for an event. They think that eating and drinking will add weight and therefore abstain from both. This is not only a big mistake for athletes, but also a big mistake for your regular everyday person. Eating and especially drinking water helps your body continue operating smoothly. Not drinking enough water will slow down your body’s metabolism, leading to weight gain. Other side effects of dehydration include, but are not limited to: fatigue, dizziness and headaches — all symptoms you don’t want to experience when trying to focus in class, or while studying for a big exam! The third tip for fighting weight gain

is to eat something healthy before you eat something less healthy. You shouldn’t feel pressured into never enjoying pizza again. That being said, if you want to avoid eating too much pizza in one sitting, try eating one of the aforementioned healthy snacks, or a salad, before starting on that pizza. Filling up your stomach with something healthy first will help you to avoid overeating less healthy foods. Lastly, try not to drink too much alcohol. One beer contains about 150 calories and 4–6 of those, combined with the hunger that people experience during intoxication or during a hangover can lead to rapid weight gain. Luckily, Mason provides students with resources they can use to help them stay in shape. Between the numerous athletic clubs, exercise facilities and dining options available on campus, Mason has everything you need to help you combat an unhealthy lifestyle, and live your best life as a student!

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ETC.

09.09.2019

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Expand your worldview. Enhance your career opportunitites. Experience another culture. Learn another language. Find out more about yourself.

Enter for a chance to win $200 discount towards your program cost. Visit StudyAbroad.gmu.edu/2020 to learn more.* *GEO will draw three application fee waivers, worth $200 each, among all submissions made through the link listed above by Thursday, September 19, 2019 at 11:59 pm. The waiver is only applicable for study abroad programs that are accepting applications at the time of the Fall 2019 Study Abroad Fair.