FOURTH ESTATE Oct. 2, 2017 Volume 5 Issue 5
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWSPAPER
@ivestate | gmufourthestate.com
MASON’S SIGMA ALPHA EPSILON REMEMBERS LOST BROTHER
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A vigil was held at North Plaza on Sunday evening in memory of the Mason student. The North Plaza was filled with brothers, friends, and other supporters mourning the loss of the student by lighting candles, reciting prayers, and sharing memories.
NEWS
OPINIONS The George Mason College Republicans and the George Mason Democrats give their takes on Trump tweets.
Mason students lend out a helping hand to the residents of Mexico City after latest earthquake page 6
NEWS
LIFESTYLE Do professors care about what students wear to class? Find out what they say!
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“CAPS offers students access to innovative services that emphasize both physical and emotional well-being”
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FOURTH ESTATE
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
WE ARE HIRING! We are currently looking to fill the following paid editor positions for the Fall 2017 semester: - SPORTS EDITOR - GRAPHICS EDITOR
We are always recruiting new members for our staff teams:
North Plaza is a center for campus free speech as well as a place for the Mason community to join together in times of difficulty. Students and community members have used the plaza to shout over hateful preachers and display the things they believe in most. Recently, the plaza was used as a place to celebrate the life of a Mason student (pg 4). In the spirit of North Plaza, that Fourth Estate also serves as a space for free speech. French writer Voltaire reportedly wrote “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” I recite this quote to remind you of the importance of defending free speech. It is imperative to listen to our fellow people, particularly when they are advocating for freedom and human rights. To endorse learning from one another, Fourth Estate has given a space to both the George Mason Democrats and the George Mason College Republicans in a new weekly column: Patriot Politics. Regardless of your side, please take the time to read and even contribute your own ideas. If there is a topic you want them to tackle or if you have a response, email frehman3@gmu.edu.
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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. George Mason University Mail stop 2C5 4400 University Drive Fairfax, Va. 22030 Phone 703-993-2950
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UPCOMING EVENTS ON CAMPUS Your guide to what’s happening on campus this month. OLIVIA VERMANE STAFF WRITER
From small group meetings to huge events in the North Plaza, Mason students have something to take part in every day. With over 350 clubs and organizations on campus, there are many upcoming events in October alone:
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Meditation can be a great way to de-stress and take a break from everyday work and studies. The Center for the Advancement of Well Being will host a session of Silent Meditation on Oct. 2 at 1:30 p.m. in Johnson Center room 244. Meditation can improve concentration and learning ability by taking just a bit of time. Want to spend your Spring Break doing something meaningful? The Social Action and Integrative Learning office will host two info sessions about their Alternative Break Programs. Oct. 2, in HUB room 3 at 2:30 p.m. and Oct. 3, in HUB room 1 at 2:30 p.m.
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The men’s and women’s basketball teams will tip off their 2017-2018 season at Mason Madness on Oct. 13. Fans will have the opportunity to meet the players and see performances from Mason cheerleaders, the Urbanknowlogy 101 dance crew and Red Panda, a Chinese acrobatic troupe. The event will be held in EagleBank Arena at 8 p.m. with doors open at 7:30 p.m.
courses, it can be difficult to take sufficient notes to study and review for exams. During this workshop, students will have the opportunity to improve their organization and note taking strategies, as well as different ways to study and review afterwards. •
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Academic/Career-readiness events: •
Staying active doesn’t always have to be high energy. The Confucius Institute is sponsoring a Tai Chi class for Mason students on Friday, Oct. 6 from 10-11 a.m. This class in the MIX in Fenwick Library will be covering the basics of tai chi with no experience necessary. Of course, all that note taking and studying can get to be a lot. Along with ice cream, free Scantrons and pencils will be available for students to come relax on Study Break Sundae in President’s Park Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m.
Another great way to de-stress is by staying active. The Center for the Advancement of Well Being is hosting a Pilates Barre Fusion class on Tuesday, Oct. 10 from 12-1 p.m. in the Johnson Center Dance Studio. This event fuses techniques from ballet, Pilates, calisthenics and yoga. It is open to all students who bring their own yoga mat and take part in this high-energy class.
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Career Services will host a Resume Clinic to help prepare students for job interviews and applications in SUB 1 room 3400 on Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. and Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. Employers will meet one-onone with students for about 15 minutes to review and look over their resumes on a first-come, first-served basis. With midterms and exams coming up, Mason’s Learning Services organized Lecture Note Taking Workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 4 from 4:30-5:45 p.m. in SUB 1 room 3129. In large lecture-style
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The fall Career Fair is on Oct. 4-5 in the Johnson Center’s Dewberry Hall. Students who are looking for a full- or part-time job or an internship will be able to meet with over 200 local, regional and national employers. The event will run both days from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will also be a one-hour “Prepare for the Fair” workshop on Oct. 2 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in SUB 1 meeting room 3B. With all these upcoming events and more at Mason, scheduling time to fit it all in can be difficult. Luckily, Mason’s Learning Services are hosting a Scheduling and Time Management workshop on Monday, Oct. 9 from 3-4:15 p.m. in SUB 1 room 3129. This workshop will help students strengthen their abilities in time management, from classwork to extracurriculars. Interested in knowing even more about events going on at Mason? Visit getconnected.gmu.edu for a schedule of upcoming events, ranging from athletics, to spirituality, to social events.
Photos Courtesy of MASON CREATIVE SERVICES
MASON CELEBRATES NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY
Students get a chance to register and learn about voting rights CLAIRE UNDERWOOD STAFF WRITER
National Voter Registration Day was last Tuesday, and Mason took part in the celebrations. This event focused on informing people about their right to vote and enabling them to register before they miss the Oct. 18 deadline. The celebration was primarily run by volunteers, making it a very community-based event. One group responsible for hosting the event was NextGen Virginia. This organization educates others on college campuses about the importance of voting. Two Mason students involved with NextGen Virginia, Caroline Simpson and Kara Kline, said they wanted to volunteer to make sure everyone fulfills their civic duty and to inform people that GMU has its own voting location on campus. Simpson and Kline also believe that by enabling students to register to vote on campus, they can help them learn about why people vote and the importance of voting in a fun, social way. The organization coaxed people to their table with dogs that they could play with. Volunteers also offered ice cream once students registered to vote, which helped entice some students.
Photos Courtesy of MASON CREATIVE SERVICES/EVAN CANTWELL
Volunteers also stated that they wanted to offer fast and convenient registration to students who may not be able to register elsewhere. Many students seemed to appreciate the availability
and importance of on-campus voter registration. One transfer student, Sam, said she appreciated the opportunity to register and vote on campus because it was most convenient for her, and that she thinks voting is an important part of being a citizen. Sam said that she wanted to be able to vote on campus because she has become more conscious about the importance of voting since the last presidential election. She hopes that registering to vote on campus will make her more aware of other elections, such as gubernatorial or congressional elections. Another student, Hunter, expressed similar views. He said that voting was important because “if you don’t vote, things can’t go your way, and you need to get your word out.” Hunter also said that the option of on-campus voter registration was most convenient for him. It was the general consensus of volunteers and new student voters that voting is a citizen’s obligation. Terry, another attendee, said, “voting is a right that people have had to fight to get, and it is one’s duty to participate in the voting process.” “America has a government ‘for the people, by the people,’” he continued, “and if the majority of citizens choose not to vote, the true desires of the people will not be recognized.”
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NEWS
10.2.2017
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CAPS OFFERS MASON STUDENTS ACCESS TO INNOVATIVE HEALTH SERVICES Events emphasize physical and emotional health, suicide prevention ISABELLA LAMAGDELEINE STAFF WRITER
With classes, jobs, extracurriculars, friends, and the various other events in an average student’s life, college can be beyond stressful and may even become too much at times. Most universities in Virginia provide various forms of counseling services to their students. Mason’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) takes a different approach, valuing a student’s overall well-being instead of focusing only on their mental health. “At CAPS, we take a proactive and preventative approach to mental health,” said Rachel Wernicke, the executive director of the program Located in Mason’s Student Union Building, CAPS offers students access to innovative services that emphasize both physical and emotional
well-being. This includes programs such as “Sleep Better”, where participants learn about healthy sleep habits and how to develop them, and “Living Emotionally Healthy, which teaches students ways to deal with feeling overwhelmed and stressed. “We know that some of the information in our outreach programming can help students avert a mental health crisis and improve their emotional wellbeing,” said Wernicke. CAPS is also in charge of holding Mason CARES events. CARES stands for Campus Awareness, Referral and Education for Suicideprevention. Most other colleges have suicide prevention programs, but they do not go as in-depth and specific as Mason’s program. CARES is a
two-hour training that helps participants become aware of what someone suicidal acts like, how to help them get professional help beforehand, and ways to actively prevent a person from committing suicide. “[At CAPS], we also know that students are much more likely to use our services when they have made a connection with us in the community. We want to send the message that we are accessible, both to students who need our direct services but also to all members of the university community who may be concerned about a student and may want to consult with us,” said Wernicke. However, many students may not have proper knowledge of the in-depth services that CAPS offers.
Junior Brian Dillaway said, “I think that everyone knows that CAPS is a resource, but most students are not aware of all of the services they offer outside of basic therapy.” Here are some of the dates of several events that CAPS will host in upcoming weeks: Managing Test Performance Anxiety – SUB 1 on Monday, Oct. 2 at 1:30 p.m. Mindfulness Workshop - Enterprise Hall on Thursday, Oct. 5 at 1:30 p.m. Overcoming Procrastination – SUB 1 on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. Mason CARES Suicide Prevention Student Gatekeeper Training – SUB 1 on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 5-7 p.m. FOURTH ESTATE/ISABELLA LAMAGDELEINE
MASON’S SIGMA ALPHA EPSILON REMEMBERS LOST BROTHER A vigil was held at North Plaza on Sunday evening in memory of the Mason student. OLIVIA VERMANE STAFF WRITER AND FAREEHA REHMAN CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Mason’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) chapter held a vigil at the North Plaza clocktower 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1 to remember a Mason student and SAE brother who passed away on Saturday, Sept. 30. The North Plaza was filled with brothers, friends, and other supporters mourning the loss of the student by lighting candles, reciting prayers, and sharing memories.
Attendees stood together at the clocktower for more than an hour in memory of the student. “It is so heartwarming to see everyone here together for something like this… all of our hearts are going out to each other.” said one SAE brother. Even after the ceremony concluded, almost everyone stood still and silent, unable to bring the night to an end. Many members of SAE shared
personal memories and stories of the student, reflecting on his life and the many ways he impacted not only his fellow brothers, but everyone he met at Mason. “He would always bring the light to every room, each moment spent with him was an incredible moment… always smiling and laughing, always making jokes . . . we should remember this and try to get over this all together,” another SAE brother said of the deceased. An email sent to the Mason community by Mason Police on Saturday night said the student “may have ingested a hallucinogenic substance and was transported to the hospital.” According to Michael Sandler, the Director of Strategic Communications for Mason, the 19-year-old sophomore was found alive but unresponsive on the ground at Potomac Heights Residence Hall on campus and died at the Inova Fairfax Hospital.
FOURTH ESTATE/NICOLAS MACOTTO
Sandler said students reported to police that “the victim was on a hallucinogenic substance when he ran
through a window on the fifth floor and fell to the ground.” Police and medics performed CPR before he was transported to the hospital. The investigation remains active and the university is waiting on toxicology reports to confirm the specific type of hallucinogenic substance ingested by the student. The results could take days or weeks to be confirmed by the medical examiner, according to Sandler. In the email sent by Mason Police, Campus Police Chief Carl Rowan urged students that have taken a hallucinogenic substance or are in possession of a hallucinogenic substance to contact law enforcement or University Police at 703-993-2810. Mason provides a medical amnesty program to support students who experience alcohol and/or other drug-related situations occurring both on and off campus, according to the Office of Student Conduct’s website. The program “offers students who proactively exhibit responsible behavior the opportunity for educational, non-disciplinary intervention for the incident.”
Specific eligibility requirements are listed on the website. For example, a student is only eligible for amnesty once during their time at Mason. However, when a student calls the medical amnesty program on behalf of another student, the witness is “not limited in the number of times that they may utilize the medical amnesty program.” After an incident is reported, “the student(s) involved in the situation will meet with a member of the Office of Student Conduct and it will be determined if the involved student(s) qualify for medical amnesty,” according to the site. For students experiencing significant emotional distress, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) has walk-in Crisis Consultations Monday - Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Counselors can be reached after hours by calling Mason Police.
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MALTA’S PRESIDENT GIVES LYNCH LECTURE AT MASON
The speech addressed gender inequality
MASON UNICEF CHAPTER RAISES MONEY FOR MEXICO CITY After latest earthquake, students quickly organize to send aid Mexico City and its surrounding states were recently struck by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake on the 32nd anniversary of another deadly 8.0 magnitude quake.
ASHLEY STEWART STAFF WRITER
Buildings collapsed, roads were destroyed, and an estimated 10,000 people were killed on Sept. 19, 1985. The recent earthquake is estimated to have caused 250 to 300 deaths while at least another 90 people were killed by several other earthquakes just this past month. Lex Herrerias is a freshman at Mason and one of several students whose family and friends were directly affected by the earthquake.
FOURTH ESTATE/DANA NICKEL
President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca’s lecture, titled “Peace Beyond the Patriarchy,” focused on combatting global gender inequality and the perpetuation of oppressive patriarchal values. President Coleiro Preca discussed a variety of issues in her lecture, including femicide across Europe. “It is shocking,” she said, “that there is, as yet, no European-wide monitoring system, which looks at the particular forms of violence confronting women.” President Coleiro Preca also discussed the presence of a connection between gender parity and gross national income, saying gender parity can become a key driver of prosperity and national income growth. But the overall message in her lecture revolved around volatile behaviors perpetuated by the patriarchal system and different ways the individual can take action to end that perpetuation. “Let us remember that many of the world’s conflicts are the result of a patriarchal system which legitimizes the use of violence,” she said. President Coleiro Preca also emphasized that the only way to solve this worldwide conflict is with a unified global reaction to promote equality and equity. The speech ended with a call to action for the youth of the current generation. “You must be the activists of today, in
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GEMMA CARRETTA STAFF WRITER
around the world
The President of Malta visited Mason’s Arlington campus to give the 28th annual Lynch Lecture at the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (SCAR) on Sept. 22.
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order to be the leaders of tomorrow,” she said. Following President Coleiro Preca’s lecture, SCAR professor Dr. Richard Rubenstein made reflective comments to the audience. “I think it lays out a research and practice agenda to move beyond patriarchy and even matriarchy,” he said. “It helps us all to think new thoughts about an old problem that affects us all.”
“It was very scary,” according to Herrerias. “A lot of my family told me it was horrible.”
Maria, and Jose, and when the Sept. 17 earthquake hit, it was added to the list.
She continued, “but seeing how people rallied together to help each other made me feel really proud [to be] Mexican.”
Imadi said that her group has been fundraising for five hours each day. “We raised over $600,” Imadi said.
The devastation that the earthquake brought to residents of central Mexico motivated the president of Mason’s chapter of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Donna Imadi, to lend a hand.
“While nobody went missing in my family,” Herrerias said, “it took my family and I over an hour to find my mom.”
Imadi and the rest of her team have been hard at work this past month fundraising to help the relief efforts of several natural disasters that have recently hit North America, including the latest earthquake in Mexico. Imadi believes that it is her duty to help out in any way that she can.
Many of the roads have been severely damaged, meaning no one could drive to where her mother worked to learn if she was alive.
“So far we’ve had three fundraising days outside SUB 1 and the MIX,” she said. The three fundraisers raised money for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma,
When asked about her thoughts on the president’s lecture, Mason junior Janine Gaspari said, “I was thrilled to see a world leader discuss the importance of feminine labor when it comes to peacebuilding.” She was not completely satisfied by the speech, however. “I think the president’s lecture also had some shortcomings,” Gaspari said. “For example, she mentioned that gender minorities should be including and accepted in the public sphere, but could not provide details about how that’s actually happening in Malta.” President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca has a 40-year political career that began at age 16. She officially became Malta’s ninth President when she assumed office in April 2014. She is the youngest President in Malta’s history at the age of 55, and only the second woman to occupy the office. She is the first Maltese president to visit the D.C. area.
Photos Courtesy of UNICEF AT GMU
What Mason’s UNICEF is doing is just one of many efforts to help residents of Mexico get back on their feet. In addition to the earlier fundraisers, Imadi is already helping to plan another event on Oct. 30 at North Plaza from 1-5 p.m. “There will be ten different co-sponsoring organizations, and one will be fundraising for Mexico.” According to Imadi, once all of the donations have been collected, they will be sent to the UNICEF headquarters in New York and will go to the fund already in place for earthquake victims. Items like medical supplies and food will then be purchased and sent to Mexico to help children in the affected areas.
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OPINIONS
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Opinions do not reflect the views of Fourth Estate. Submit opinions to frehman3@gmu.edu
PATRIOT POLITICS: TRUMP TWEETS A weekly column contributed by The George Mason Democrats and the George Mason College Republicans. Topics are selected by the Fourth Estate Editorial team with input from readers. This week’s opinion: Trump Tweets. What is your position/opinion on his use of the Twitter platform and the messages of his tweets? Are there any positive aspects or any concerning aspects about his use of Twitter?
George Mason Democrats
George Mason College Republicans
ANDREW MILLIN CHIEF OF STAFF
JOHN KIELBOWICZ SECRETARY
Trump’s tweets are a very salient topic of late because of his tirades against the NFL, while comparatively ignoring the humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico. Between September 24-28, the President tweeted/retweeted 20 times about the flag controversy and tweeted/retweeted 12 times about Puerto Rico where lives are endangered. It is disgraceful that the peaceful actions of athletes is taking up more of his tweeting time than providing information on the recovery efforts in Puerto Rico is. Tweeting about the NFL controversy should not take up any of his time at all. Not while there are more pressing domestic and international issues. Normally, a President will tweet about events they participate in or the activities of their cabinet members. They also may tweet about major world crises, especially natural disasters that are endangering the lives of American citizens. Beyond the insensitive content of some of his tweets, his Twitter activity could be illegal. According to the National Constitution Center, blocking users on Twitter from viewing the @POTUS, @ realDonaldTrump, or any other account associated with his office could be infringements of free speech. A legal briefing filed by his administration on Sept. 25 states that the president has blocked people whose tweets he does not agree with. The first
amendment is there to protect Americans from government interference on speech. Blocking someone on Twitter is exactly that, as well as very snowflake-like for a person who repeatedly called those who did not agree with him “snowflakes”. Trump’s use of Twitter is problematic at best, and illegal at worst. It is about time he handed over access to his account to social media experts before he gets himself into more trouble than he is facing with the Special Prosecutor investigation into his campaign’s activities in 2016. Based on the content and spelling of many of his tweets, Trump could use some “covfefe” before tweeting incoherently at odd hours of the morning when he should be sleeping or stopping military escalation of the situation FOURTH ESTATE/MARY JANE DECARLO with North Korea. Most importantly, if you have the means, find local organizations in Puerto Rico that is helping the relief efforts to donate to.
President Trump, keep tweeting. A casual observer of the U.S. media’s coverage of Donald Trump’s presidency would realize that a majority of the coverage surrounding him is negative. In fact, a recent poll from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government shows that 80 percent of media coverage surrounding President Trump is unflattering to say the least. Whether the stories are flat out false, contain misleading headlines, or are trying to promote an agenda they are preventing the President from getting a fair shake in pitching his vision to the public. To avoid this mischaracterization of his agenda, President Trump has taken his message directly to the American people via Twitter. The media’s mischaracterizations of President Trump’s statements and his follow-up tweets setting the record straight has been seen throughout the past week. On Sept. 22, while campaigning for Luther Strange to represent Alabama in the Senate, President Trump made comments that NFL players who take a knee during the National Anthem should be fired.
Backlash to his comments were swift. CNN published an article with the title “NFL chief, team owners, NBA stars slam Trump.” President Trump shot back at his opposition, tweeting “If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!” and “NFL attendance and ratings are WAY DOWN. Boring games yes, but many stay away because they love our country. League should back U.S.” While the media tries to portray President Trump’s tweets as out of touch, the exact opposite is the truth. Polling conducted by Fox News reveals that a majority of respondents agreed with his position that kneeling during the National Anthem is an inappropriate form of protest. While President Trump’s Twitter habit may concern some people, the concerning aspect of his tweeting is the media’s obsession with it. While the media is obsessing with his tweets, President Trump is accomplishing his agenda. Overreaching EPA regulations are being repealed, prototypes of the wall are being built, the U.S. has left the Paris Climate Agreement, Neil Gorsuch filled the seat vacated by the late Justice Antonin Scalia, the Keystone XL pipeline has been approved. While the media is worrying about his next tweet, President Trump is Making America Great Again.
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TINDER, BUMBLE, GRINDR, OH MY!
Mason students share their experience using dating apps MIA WISE STAFF WRITER
We live in an age where we can do virtually everything on our phones. We can pay bills, get food delivered from almost any restaurant, order an Uber to any location, and even find a significant other or a hookup. “I’ve personally never used a dating app before but some of my friends use them. I would say the top two dating apps I’ve heard the most about are Tinder and Plenty of Fish,” junior Stephanie Crespo said. An Abodo survey of 3,500 students found that 91 percent of college students aren’t using dating apps for hookups. According to the same survey, 34 percent of Tinder users said that they use the app mainly for entertainment. With so many dating apps, it seems like almost everyone is being catered to. Most apps have an option for the gender of the person you are looking
for and there are apps specifically for LGBTQ like her and Grindr. “I met a girl off Tinder when I was coming out as gay. She was funny and smart, but being gay was new and scary to me so I didn’t follow through,” junior Olivia Beyer said. Dating apps come along with the dangers of meeting strangers and people who may not be who they say they are. “I think the idea of dating apps is very interesting, like it makes it so much easier to meet new people. I also think that it can be very dangerous because you are meeting someone you have never met before over the app and there’s this thing called ‘catfishing’ in this generation. Even though none of my friends have ever told me they’ve been catfished over a dating app, I’m pretty sure it still happens out there,” said Crespo.
REVIEW: SISTER’S THAI IN OLD TOWN FAIRFAX Quality Thai food in a cozy space CHRISTINE VIRAY STAFF WRITER
FOURTH ESTATE/CHRISTINE VIRAY
Known as “Sisters--the Living Room Café” or “Sisters Thai” for short, this picturesque restaurant is easily accessible to Mason students who want to try something new or are just craving Thai food. The restaurant has a lot to offer anyone exploring Old Town Fairfax with family or friends, including a wide selection of entrees, Thai street food, freshly baked goods, and non-alcoholic beverages. Friendly
staff
immediately
greet
customers, who are welcomed by the restaurant’s homey atmosphere as soon as they walk through the door. Parallel to the restaurant’s doors, cakes and a chalkboard menu show the unique variety of desserts and beverages that customers can order. Customers can choose from different seating areas. On the left side, customers can sit on chairs or couches and enjoy the energetic décor, which includes clocks and framed
you’re exposed to,” junior Regine Victoria said.
Dating apps are an easy way to quickly meet people with the same interests. They can also be an easier and less intimidating way to approach someone romantically. “Depending on how you look at it, dating apps can be both or either more beneficial or harmful. They can be both in the sense that some people are more straightforward on apps. It’s beneficial because it saves you time in seeing whether or not it’s something you want, but it could also be harmful because it sucks if you can’t seem to find what you’re looking for and you’re looking through so many potentials at a much greater rate than you could in real life, so you may feel like what you’re looking for is not out there, but really that’s just the pool
Although many people use dating apps for hookups or entertainment, it is possible that romance can blossom from a right swipe. “Honestly, I’ve only ever met with one person off Tinder. I didn’t even know it would escalate as much as we did or for as long as we lasted, but it was genuinely the most bittersweet experience I’ve had with a guy. It’s kind of lame and cheesy to say, but I think I can wholeheartedly say, he might be the one that got away,” Victoria said.
FOURTH ESTATE/BILLY FERGUSON
photographs lit by a chandelier. On the right side, customers can sit on chairs or at booths in front of a full bookshelf spanning the entire length of the wall.
One unique non-alcoholic beverage that customers can enjoy at Sisters Thai is the “Freeze”, which is similar to a slushy, but it’s too unique to be classified as something so common.
While the restaurant’s interior is a little bit smaller compared to other restaurants in Old Town Fairfax, people will find it difficult to find a restaurant with the same service, quality of food, and interior as Sisters Thai. Customers are free to call and make a reservation if they are are worried about finding a space in the restaurant.
The freeze is offered in a variety of flavors, including green tea, strawberry and mango. Even though one freeze is at least five dollars, it’s definitely worth trying once in a while instead of just ordering the usual Frappuccino from Starbucks.
only within three or four miles, which shouldn’t be a problem for Mason students on campus. However, it’s better to eat at the restaurant itself because not a lot of restaurants offer the same warm dining experience that makes Sisters Thai unique—not a lot of restaurants provide couches or chairs for their customers. Because the restaurant’s interior design and atmosphere feels like a home, customers are free to treat the
Even though the food is limited to Thai cuisine, it’s worth trying because the portions are bigger than the ones served at other restaurants and the food itself is high-quality. If a customer orders Drunken Noodles (a non-alcoholic dish) for example, they would be able to share it with three or four people because the restaurant’s staff wants people to get their money’s worth. The cakes at Sisters Thai are definitely worth having as well because they are not like cheap and sponge-like storebought cakes. When customers order a chocolate cake at Sisters Thai, they can easily taste how rich the chocolate is and how it isn’t comparable to the cheap and tacky frosting on the cakes at nearby stores, or even other restaurants.
FOURTH ESTATE/CHRISTINE VIRAY
The restaurant’s staff works hard to make the food to the customer’s standards and the service is still quick even during busy hours, so customers do not have to worry about waiting a long time for their food. Sisters Thai also offers delivery, but
restaurant as a study spot because they can sit on a couch with pillows and eat while they study. The restaurant seldom gets loud, so customers don’t have to worry about the noise level or being able to focus on their work.
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DRESS TO IMPRESS? Should students dress more professionally in a classroom setting? Check out what these Mason students and professor had to say. ANGELIQUE ARINTOK STAFF WRITER
student is best classified as casual and comfortable. Airelle Thornhill, a junior Communication major, describes her usual outfit as a “t-shirt, jeans, and some sort of sneakers.” Similarly, senior Communication major, Fareeha Rehman says that she goes for “leggings, sneakers or sandals, and a sweatshirt or loose top.” Another student, Angie Meredith, a sophomore Information Systems & Operations Management major, expresses that she simply “dresses to impress herself,” and feels that her professors do not pay attention to what she wears to class. FOURTH ESTATE/ANGELIQUE ARINTOK
College is one of the best places to network with other students, instructors, and even potential employers. On a regular weekday, should students be concerned about how they dress for class? Will a mindset of “dressing to
impress” land students the job or career they want? Various students tackled this subject as they gather consensus from personal experiences while at Mason. The typical go-to look for a college
Feeling comfortable is a top priority for these students. Rehman elaborates that she “[has] not considered professors when dressing in her three and a half years [at Mason].” There is a certain stigma associated with attending class in more casual, lax, or even pajama-like clothing. Rehman’s mindset proves a
sounding disconnect between intellectual behavior and fashion sense. Additionally, junior Criminology major Sasha Toophanie adds that “[her] professors have been more concerned about participation rather than [her] outfit.” A student’s engagement ultimately dominates his or her whole look, whether he or she chooses to dress in casual or formal clothing. Some students believe their style or fashion can allow them a “leg up” in setting a good impression to their professors. For example, Chris Byrne, a junior Marketing major, finds that “overdressing is better than underdressing in most situations,” additionally stating that “there’s a time and place for all outfits.” Byrne demonstrates a general caution for what he wears to class, but still likes to keep it casual for the most part out of awareness of the college environment. Other students like Sosan Malik, a senior Communication major, have different guidelines for picking outfits. She shares that she “always choose[s] [her] outfits according to the event taking place.” Instead of focusing on a specific professor or instructor’s perception, Malik selects her outfits depending
STAFF SELECTS: PODCASTS TO LISTEN TO
strength of survivors. Start with, “What if you were shot by your father?”
Have a tough time choosing a podcast to listen to? Take a peek at
NPR Rough Translation:
these
Hosted by Gregory Warner, this podcast tells stories from around the globe-covering fake news in Ukraine to a
BASMA HUMADI LIFESTYLE ASSISTANT EDITOR
Podcasts seem like weird uncharted territory into an adult world that seems intrinsically linked with how long a person’s commute is everyday. Yet, finding the right Podcast that feeds your interest and engages you feels incredibly rewarding and enriching. They’re addictive, make time go by faster and can help you dive into new interests. Of course, there are the essentials every podcaster will tell you to listen to: Serial, This American Life, Here’s the Thing, and so on. Here are some recommendations for people who want to get into podcasts but don’t know where to start. Another Round: Hosted by dynamic duo Heben Nigatu and Tracy Clayton, these hilarious hosts interview diverse creators and influencers in one boozy show. They talk about everything from pop culture to self-care, to having heated discussions about whether or not squirrels
are good creatures.
Esquire Classic Podcast:
Listen to one episode and you’ll find yourself laughing along in your car in no time. They’ve interviewed influencers including Ava DuVernay, Hillary Clinton, and Janet Mock. Start with episode 47: Don’t @ Me (with Bim Adewunmi).
This podcast takes a look at classic Esquire stories and discusses them with the writers behind the stories. Hosted by journalist David Brancaccio, this podcast is an interesting look into how stories are written and compiled, how they are received, and the personal stories behind them. Start with “‘I, Stalkerazzi’ and ‘Angelina Jolie and the Torture of Fame’ by John H. Richardson”
You Must Remember This: Telling the as-factual-as-possible stories of old Hollywood, host Karina Longworth delivers fascinating and chilling tales about the 20th century’s scandals and stars. She digs into the lives of Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando and Madonna. She dissects the Charles Manson murders in a 12-part series and discusses Hollywood’s dead blondes in a 13-part series. The series offers an in-depth look at the intricacies of Hollywood’s old but not forgotten eras. Start with episode 106: Hollywood Royalty/Middle-American Martyr (Jean & Jane Episode 1)
This is Actually Happening: This storytelling podcast delivers uninterrupted and remarkable examinations of others’ lives and extraordinary experiences from the first person point-ofview. Subjects include: “What if your boyfriend lit himself on fire?”, “What if your father was lost in a shipwreck?” and “What if you witnessed the limits of human suffering?” The episodes are entrancing and often dark, but still carry immense hope and show the
FOURTH ESTATE/ALLY MCALPINE
on her social or extracurricular activities that day. She says that she cannot speak for professors or teaching assistants. To play it safe, Malik opts to dress modestly on a day-to-day basis. Professor Lisa Lister, an English professor here at Mason, says she has already seen pajamas, sports & athletic wear come through the classroom door—nevertheless, her main focus lies on “students [who] are listening, working hard, collaborating with their peers, and learning.” She adds that “what they want to wear…just shouldn’t matter.” From an instructor’s point of view, Lister reassures students that despite their attire, an effort to engage in the classroom will prove beneficial. Every student has a different sense of style and approach to fashion. All students’ choices and opinions deserve respect. What someone chooses to wear to class can definitely catch an instructor’s attention, but the lasting impression comes from a student’s attentiveness and investment in the class. Don’t dress to impress, dress for success!
prison cell in Somalia. Start with: “The Refugee’s Dating Coach”
10.2.2017
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What to Watch This Week:
ON AIR 24/7
CHANNEL 8.1
NEWS | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT MASON CABLE NETWORK MCN is Mason’s studentoperated television network that offers informative, analytical, and entertaining programming, including student projects and a wide variety of original content. In addition to regularly scheduled programs, MCN produces live stream coverage of Mason events, sports, and news.
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.com
MASON CABLE NEWS LIVE! Every Wednesday @ 6:30PM MASON CABLE NEWS is Mason’s live news program produced by Mason Cable Network. Airing every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., the MCNews team brings you Mason news, events, weather, and interviews that provides the Mason Nation the low-down on their community. Watch live on campus channel 8.1 and online at masoncablenetwork. com or catch up on YouTube.
Live Stream Schedule: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6 TH @ 7 PM
Best of MCN: TOUCH BASE Tuesday Mornings & Friday Nights TOUCH BASE is Mason Cable Network’s sports talk show all about baseball. Hosts Erin Whitton and Ryan Donohoe bring you the latest updates about major league, college, and Mason baseball.
Women’s Volleyball vs GW SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8 TH @ 1 PM
MASON CABLE NIGHT SHOW
DAILY NEWS UPDATES
Women’s Soccer vs VCU
Wednesdays Nights
Every Day
Women’s Soccer vs UMass
MASON CABLE NIGHT SHOW with Cody Borden is a talk show featuring notable members of the Mason community, as Cody interacts with them through interviews and fun games.
MASON CABLE NEWS DAILY UPDATES provide a quick rundown of events planned on campus each and every day of the week. Check out this week’s Update and browse past episodes on YouTube.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12 TH @ 7 PM
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13 TH @ 7 PM
Women’s Volleyball vs Davidson SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14 TH @ 7 PM
Men’s Soccer vs St. Louis Women’s Volleyball vs VCU
PHONE: 703-993-9745
WATCH ONLINE:
EMAIL: mcn@gmu.edu
atlantic10.com or gomason.com
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ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Someone has some suggestions to offer regarding your new project. You might find them helpful. Remember to avoid speculation and to stick with just the facts, Lamb. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) An old friend suddenly reappears. Whether this proves to be a boon or a bane in the Bovine’s life depends on the reason for this surprising reappearance. Be cautious. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Vital information finally emerges, allowing you to make that important personal decision. You can now move your focus to an upcoming professional development. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) You might not like seeing so many on-thejob changes. But some of them could open new opportunities for the Moon Child’s talents to shine to your best advantage. LEO (July 23 to August 22) An apparently solid-gold opportunity beckons the Lion. But check to see if all that dazzle isn’t just a sprinkling of surface glitter. Check it out before making a commitment. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A close friend could offer advice on how to handle a difficult family matter. But in the end, the decision has to be made based on what is best for you and those you love.
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LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Family problems are best worked out with all those concerned contributing suggestions that will ease tensions. Stay with it until a workable solution is found. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Expect to hear more about an offer that has piqued your interest. You earn respect for insisting on solid facts, not just a fancy talk about potential opportunities. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) What seemed to be a reasonable workplace request might need to be defended. Don’t fret. You have both the facts and a surprise ally on your side. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A bit of capriciousness might be just what you need. Plan to kick up your heels in a round of fun and games with family and friends this weekend. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Although some of your plans might have to be put on hold, things do begin to take a turn for the better by midweek. Your financial crunch also eases. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Your financial picture begins to brighten by week’s end. There also are favorable changes in your personal life. Someone you care for has good news to report. BORN THIS WEEK: You seek balance, but not at the expense of justice. You would make a fine judge. © 2017 King Features Synd., Inc.
LAST WEEK’S GO FIGURE!
September 18, 2017
LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE
ETC.
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ETC.
LAST WEEK’S MAGIC MAZE
LAST WEEK’S SUDOKU
10.2.2017
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What to Listen to This Week:
ON AIR 24/7
WGMURadio.com
MUSIC | SPORTS | NEWS | TALK | INTERVIEWS WGMU RADIO is Mason’s one and only radio station and streams online 24/7 at wgmuradio.com. WGMU listeners enjoy the best in sports, humor, talk, news, and today’s music, in addition to exclusive in-studio sessions with up-and-coming local and national artists. WGMU has been broadcasting live, original content produced by dedicated Mason student deejays since 1981.
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Photo by Angelique Artinok
your voice. amplified.
Best of WGMU:
WGMU SHOW
OF THE
WEEK:
THE MEGAPHONE PODCAST Fridays @ 1PM Join Igor Stoganov, Student Media’s visiting fellow from Macedonia, as he hosts a weekly podcast featuring Mason students hoping to pursue a career in media. Find new episodes online at wgmuradio.com.
Programming Highlights:
NFL SUNDAY TAILGATE
HEADLINE HELL
MI ROCK PERDIDO
MONDAYS @ 6:30PM
Sundays @ 9:30AM
Wednesdays @ 12PM
Fridays @ 7pm
TUESDAYS @ 6PM
NFL STUNDAY TAILGATE is hosted by Cory Morgan, a WGMU alumnus, and analyzes the biggest storylines, players, and matchups leading up to the highly anticipated season kickoff! Enjoy your Sunday cuppa joe with a side of Sunday Tailgate!
HEADLINE HELL, a returning program, is produced by two witty students, Henry and Alex, who pick out the most outrageous news stories from the previous week. Their ongoing banter has provided some much needed humor to Wednesdays at Mason!
MI ROCK PERDIDO, an exclusive Spanish-language program on WGMU, brings Latin flare to the station with two hours of Spanish rock, Tango, Bolero, and Cumbia. Not only does the host, Juan, bring energy to one’s Friday night — he’ll put a pep in your step!
Mike’s Hype Train JazzBreak WEDNESDAYS @ 4PM
Mystery Sisters Unlimited FRIDAYS @ 1PM
The Big W
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