F URTH ESTATE Oct. 16, 2017 Volume 5 Issue 6
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWSPAPER
@ivestate | gmufourthestate.com
CLOTHESLINE PROJECT RAISES AWARENESS OF CAMPUS SEXUAL ASSAULT
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6
The annual display starting October 23 is part of Turn Off the Violence Week at Mason. Read more on page 6.
LIFESTYLE
NEWS North Plaza is renamed for civil rights leader, award-winning journalist and former Mason professor Roger Wilkins
Music festival in DC brings EDM, hip-hop lovers, and indie fans together
page 3
LIFESTYLE
NEWS Student government passes resolution to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day after polling Mason students page 10
Mason alumna makes clothing line for Muslim-American women
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10.16.2017
FOURTH ESTATE
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Thirty years have passed since the U.S. first observed Domestic Violence Awareness Month. For the last twenty years, Mason’s Student Support and Advocacy Center has been hosting events every October. In this issue, you’ll learn why the 500 t-shirts soon to be hung around campus are more than just a statement (pg. 6) — they’re individual expressions of pain and healing. Intersectionality was key in this year’s Take Back the Night event (pg. 7), recognizing different types of violence for marginalized communities.
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:
Fourth Estate is proud to cover ways in which Mason magnifies less heard voices and stories. Fall for the Book’s exceptional speakers this year included New York Time’s bestselling author Janet Mock, a transgender rights activist (pg. 9). Creating more representation continues long after Mason students walk across the arena stage. Mason alumna Sana Mahmood designed fashion for Muslim women through her own company (pg. 8). Continue speaking up, Patriots, and consider speaking up by submitting an opinion! Email topics to frehman3@gmu.edu
- SPORTS WRITERS
Co-Editors-in-Chief
Katya Beisel Copy Chief
Michael D. Eberhart News Editor
Alex Shedd News Assistant Editor
Dinanda Pramesti Lifestyle Editor
Basma Humadi Lifestyle Assistant Editor
Catherine McKay Online Editor
Billy Ferguson Art Director
Michelle Gardner
Fareeha Rehman, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Photo Editor
Emmett Smith Distribution Manager
Kathryn Mangus Director
David Carroll Associate Director
Jason Hartsel Copy Chief Katya Beisel
Photo Editor News Editor Michelle Gardner Michael D. Eberhart
Assistant Director
Lifestyle Editor Dinanda Pramesti
Lottye Lockhart Communicaion Manager
Jessica Smith Business Office Manager
- NEWS WRITERS - LIFESTYLE WRITERS
Fareeha Rehman Sosan Malik
COVER PHOTO CREDITS Co-Editor-in-Chief Sosan Malik
Co-Editor-in-Chief Fareeha Rehman
- COPY EDITORS
Mason Creative Services News Evan Cantwell/Mason Creative Services Lifestyle Music Festival courtesy of Doug Van sant
- DESIGNERS - PHOTOGRAPHERS
News Courtesy of Alexis Glenn/Mason Creative Services
For all inquiries, please email and
Lifestyle Fashion courtesy of Sana Mahood
resume and two clips (or samples of work for visuals) to: frehman3@gmu.edu AND apply online at http://c2ms.info/osmapply
Lifestyle Asst. Editor Online Editor Basma Humadi Catherine McKay
News Asst. Editor Alex Shedd
Art Director Billy Ferguson
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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NEWS
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REMEMBERING TRISTAN MEDINA
“Star running back” sophomore
“would always bring the light to every room” OLIVIA VERMANE STAFF WRITER
Tragedy struck Mason’s Fairfax campus when 19-year-old sophomore Tristan Medina passed away in Fairfax hospital on Saturday, Sept. 30 after falling from a fifth story window in a Potomac Heights dorm. A hard-working student and star football player in high school, Medina is remembered at Mason by his friends and Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) brothers. The fraternity held a vigil in North Plaza to memorialize Medina on the day after his death. “He would always bring the light to every room,” said one fellow SAE member at the Oct. 1 vigil. “Each moment spent with him was an incredible moment… always smiling and laughing, always making jokes.”
Photo courtesy of SIGMA ALPHA EPSILON
A native of Spotsylvania County, Medina graduated from Massaponax High School in 2016 after an impressive
tenure on the school’s football team. In his final two seasons, Medina rushed for over 1,100 yards and scored 29 touchdowns. He earned the program’s coveted number one jersey, an award that he earned through his skill and determination on the field. Medina’s coach at Massaponax, Eric Ludden, memorialized his former student in an interview with the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star. “He was really loved by his teammates and people at school,” said Ludden. “He was very easy going. He was basically a star running back, but he did not have that attitude that sometimes people get when they maybe get a big head. He was never like that.” Ludden also remembered that Medina’s family was very supportive and took the time to attend every one of his games, both junior and varsity.
According to Ludden, Medina could have continued his standout football career in college despite his small stature, but he chose to pursue academics instead. Medina originally decided to attend Mason with plans to study astrophysics, but he later switched his major to criminal justice with a concentration in homeland security and a minor in intelligence analysis. Although Medina’s time at Mason was cut short, it is easy to see how positively he impacted the lives of his friends and fellow students, many of whom remembered his genuine personality and admirable sense of humor. As one SAE brother attending the Oct. 1 vigil in his memory said, “we should remember this and try to get over this all together.”
PRESIDENT CABRERA DEDICATES NORTH PLAZA TO ROGER WILKINS The former Mason professor was a civil rights leader and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist ALEX SHEDD AND MICHAEL EBERHART NEWS EDITORS
President Cabrera took to the North Plaza last Thursday, Oct. 12 to give tribute to Roger Wilkins, a civil rights leader and former Mason professor, who passed away in March at age 85. Cabrera gave a brief but moving speech about the life and works of Professor Wilkins as he announced the renaming of the North Plaza. “I am proud that the spot where we now stand, the most central and symbolic space on our home campus, will from this day forward be known as Roger Wilkins Plaza,” said Cabrera. Wilkins came to Mason in the late 1980s and taught for two decades as the Robinson Professor Emeritus of History and American Culture until his retirement in 2007. President Cabrera described Wilkins’ career at the school as “one of the intellectual pioneers who helped put this university on the map.” Photo courtesy of EVAN CANTWELL/ MASON CREATIVE SERVICES
But his career did not begin at Mason. President Cabrera went on to describe
Wilkins’ early life in his dedication, saying that “he managed to navigate segregation, graduate from college and law school, practice law, serve in the Kennedy administration and at the young age of 33 be sworn in by President Lyndon Johnson as Assistant Attorney General - the highest rank achieved by an African American in his time.”
Professor Wilkins was also one of the first African American editorial writers at both the Post and the New York Times.
His work in the Kennedy administration and as Johnson’s Assistant Attorney General helped contribute to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 according to Cabrera. After leaving the Johnson administration, Wilkins went to work as an editorial writer at the Washington Post. His work there during the Watergate scandal earned him a Pulitzer Prize in 1973 alongside investigative reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein and cartoonist Herbert Block.
Photo courtesy of EVAN CANTWELL/ MASON CREATIVE SERVICES
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NEWS
10.16.2017
STUDENT GOVERNMENT VOTES TO RECOGNIZE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY Resolution 10 will add another holiday to university calendars MICHAEL EBERHART NEWS EDITOR
The Mason Student Senate passed legislation urging the university “to recognize the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day,” in addition to Columbus Day. Resolution 10 passed by an overwhelming 25-1-2 vote at the Oct. 12 meeting, held just three days after the school officially celebrated Columbus Day. The resolution defines Indigenous Peoples’ Day as “a day of celebration that aims to promote Native American culture, [and] commemorate the history of Native American Peoples.” Speaker Pro Tempore Brendan Sullivan spoke in favor of the resolution before the vote began. “We did our best to be inclusive of all communities, and I really hope we can get this on calendars as quickly as possible,” he said after the meeting. In the days leading up to the vote, the Student Senate held an online poll to gauge feelings on campus about changing the calendars. Out of 331 votes, 283 students voted in favor of celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Only 48 voted against the new holiday, or had no opinion. But not everyone was satisfied after an amendment to include language condemning Christopher Columbus was left out of the final resolution. The amendment was introduced by Senator Andrew Post, who said “I’m happy with the resolution passing, it is a step forward. But in terms of
two years ago, it’s a step backwards because the original resolution that was enacted two years ago had much harsher language - it had the condemnation of Columbus within it and we didn’t do anything to change that. It really shocks me to see this kind of walk back on the legislation.” Post is also President of the Native American and Indigenous Alliance. The thirty-sixth Student Senate voted on Resolution 13 early in 2016. The controversial legislation called for the university to outright replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day, and also included a section criticizing Columbus for “egregious crimes against humanity.” Although the resolution passed in student government, it was ignored by the university. Caleb Kitchen, now a graduate student at the SCHAR school, was one of three senators to vote against Resolution 13 last year. But on Thursday, he came out to speak in favor of passing the new legislation. “The topic of Indigenous Peoples’ Day two years ago brought a lot of division to this campus,” said Kitchen. “I’m proud that today they were able to overcome that. I don’t think the amendment was appropriate… Resolution 13 undermined the ability to have the conversation in the first place, this resolution doesn’t have that problem.” However, other students were disappointed that the condemnation of Columbus did not make it into the
final resolution this year. Noah Black, a senior majoring in global affairs, spoke out for the amendment before the final vote.
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ROBINSON HALL REPLACEMENT PART OF UPCOMING RENOVATIONS Both buildings will be torn down to create a more modern facility SARAH WHEELER STAFF WRITER
“Everything about Columbus is essentially shrouded in genocide and racism,” Black said after the meeting. “I feel like without condemning Columbus, passing a resolution to support indigenous peoples day is a half-hearted attempt, it’s just a way for people to remain comfortable without acknowledging a painful history.” This opinion was shared by Alicia Suchicital, a senior majoring in bioengineering and President of the Society for Advancement of Chicano/ Hispanic and Native Americans in Science. “The person who made that motion for the amendment to the resolution, he’s representing the only voice that we have on that board, and there was no support.” said Suchicital. “Christopher Columbus contributed to the mass genocide of indigenous people - this is on the record, this is common knowledge - so the more we pretend that it didn’t happen feeds into the same historical erasure that they claim to avoid.” Senator Michael Gracia cast the sole vote against Resolution 10 at the meeting. He declined to comment for this story.
Photo courtesy of George Mason University
Mason has decided to demolish Robinson Hall to create a more modern academic facility for students and faculty. Construction for the new building will begin in April of 2018. The project has already been authorized by the university withs a total construction budget of more than $111 million. The new building is scheduled to open in May of 2022. Surrounded by the Johnson Center, Student Union Building 1 and Fenwick Library, Robinson Hall is a landmark in the center of campus. It is home to eleven different departments, including English, Religion and Sociology, as well as the Colleges of Education and Human Development and Health and Human Services. Although Robinson Hall A and B together house 30% of all university classrooms, the complex was built in 1975 and there have been no major improvements to it since its original construction. Many on campus agree that the Robinson Hall rebuild is needed, but there is some concern about how the construction project will impact faculty and students. Affected departments have voiced concerns over a potential lack of storage space, temporary offices and classrooms while renovations are underway. One of the departments housed in Robinson is the English Department. The Director of Linguistics, Steven Weinberger, has been here for 28 years.
Photo courtesy of ALEXIS GLENN/MASON CREATIVE SERVICES
“We have to move twice and we’re not really sure what the new building
is going to be like,” said Weinberger, referring to moving everything out and back in after construction, “however, moving is refreshing, cleansing.” The new 218,000 gross square feet of Robinson Hall’s new replacement building will primarily contain academic offices and class spaces, but the floorplan will include a Mason Innovation Exchange and common areas as well. One third of the new building’s interior will be devoted to university classrooms, and almost half of the total space will house department offices. Other design features will include natural light throughout the building, community kitchens on every floor, as well as shower facilities and lactation rooms. This demolition will bring some major changes to the center of campus. Specifically, the teardown of Robinson Hall B will bring a new amphitheater and courtyard space between the new building and Harris Theater. The theater will not be left out as it is set to undergo renovations as well. The northern edge of the new building to replace Robinson Hall will align with the northern edge of Fenwick Library, which will help to establish a new border for the north quad. Even with all of these changes coming to the center of campus, the two major pedestrian pathways that intersect at the Clocktower will remain untouched by the construction. Architectural Rendering by Perkins + Will, Courtesy of George Mason University
NEWS
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10.16.2017
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FIRST BOARD OF VISITORS MEETING OF 20172018 SCHOOL YEAR
Members announced plans for Title IX, DREAMers and more ISABELLA LAMAGDELEINE STAFF WRITER
The Mason Board of Visitors met for the first time during the 2017-2018 school year on Thursday, Oct. 12 in Merten Hall. The meeting covered many important topics that affect students on campus, such as Title IX guidelines and DACA renewal for DREAMers, along with proposals for new classes and other changes at Mason in the near future • Title IX guidelines from the Department of Education are subject to change after Secretary Betsy DeVos spoke at Mason’s Arlington campus last month, but the Board of Visitors reiterated their dedication to preventing sexual assault on campus. The board will closely monitor any further changes to federal adjudication policies. •
The
board
restated
their commitment to Mason’s community of more than 325 DREAMers in the wake of Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ deadline to phase out the Obama-era DACA program. This will include funding for a DACA renewal clinic to support first generation immigrant students in their efforts to stay at Mason. • The board also announced that the university will expand their roster of online classes with five more courses in the coming year. This move was recommended by the board to keep the curriculum accessible to all Mason students. • The meeting included a report that Mason admitted both its largest and most diverse class in history for the fall 2017 semester. Twenty-two percent of
students attending this semester are from outside of Virginia, 50 percent identified as members of a minority group, and 38 percent are the first generation in their family to go to college. • The current Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, Deborah Boehm-Davis, is leaving at the end of this month. The Board of Visitors has started an ongoing process to hire her replacement by the fall of 2018. • The board also raised the topic of fundraising measures, including naming opportunities on campus and working to increase federal funding. For example, the Robinson Hall construction project was delayed by a lack of federal funding, according to the board. Photo courtesy of EVAN CANTWELL/CREATIVE SERVICES
CORNER POCKET TO BEGIN SERVING ALCOHOL
Beer and wine sales will be available during limited times CLAIRE UNDERWOOD STAFF WRITER
The Corner Pocket, an on-campus game room located in the HUB, recently announced its plan to begin selling alcohol. The only option that previously existed for students looking to buy a drink on campus was the Rathskeller, a combination restaurant and bar in SUB 1. However, the Corner Pocket has changed all of that now that it has started serving alcohol on a limited basis. One part of that limited basis is that drinks will only be available on Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. The decision to limit sales to a specific day and time was made by the staff to measure the popularity and costs of the new system, and to determine if it should be expanded to the rest of the week.
FOURTH ESTATE/CHRISTINE VIRAY
Another limitation of the current policy is that the Corner Pocket will only sell beer and wine. Hard liquor will not be available.
Employees at the Corner Pocket said they believe that selling alcohol will increase their business and popularity on campus. Students may only see the location in passing on the way to class, so workers feel that serving drinks will increase interest and awareness for other activities inside, and also the likelihood of students returning with their friends. The Corner Pocket will continue to offer more than just alcohol to its customers. The space is filled with pool tables, ping pong and other games as well. It is also located right next to the Wing Zone restaurant in the HUB, giving customers the opportunity to take out food from next door.
NEWS
10.16.2017
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Photos courtesy of MASON CREATIVE SERVICES
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CLOTHESLINE PROJECT RAISES AWARENESS OF CAMPUS SEXUAL ASSAULT The annual display is part of Turn Off the Violence Week at Mason GEMMA CARRETTA STAFF WRITER
Every October since 1997, the Student Support and Advocacy Center has sponsored events on campus to raise awareness about sexual assault and violence against women during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Clothesline Project is one such event addressing victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. It was created in 1991 to give survivors an opportunity to make their voices heard by expressing what happened when they were ignored. Their messages are painted on t-shirts by survivors to express their feelings and what they wish to communicate to others about their experience with assault. Over the last twenty years, the
display at Mason has grown to more than 500 shirts. During Turn Off the Violence week from Oct. 23-27, these shirts will be hung on clotheslines across campus as a visual reminder to the Mason community of the impacts of sexual assault, to help survivors heal, and too remember those who are unable to tell their own story. Domestic Violence Awareness month initially began with the intention of connecting advocates working to end violence against women and children from all across the United States. However, it has become much more than that. Universities across the country are doing their part by
drawing attention to and discussing issues related to domestic violence and sexual assault that directly affect their students, and Mason is no different. If you wish to participate, the shirt making events will take place on Oct. 16 from 5-7:30 p.m. in North Plaza, on Oct. 18 from 11-2 p.m. at the JC kiosks, Oct. 19 from 11-2 p.m. in the Patriot Lounge, and Oct. 20 from 11-3 p.m. in the SUB 1 Quad. The office of University Life encourages all students to view the display on the Fairfax campus, which will take place from Oct. 23-27 as part of Turn Off the Violence Week.
STUDENT SEMINARS PROMOTE HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS SSAC provides education and resources to avoid abuse NOAH WINTHROP STAFF WRITER
The seminars were part of the overall effort to increase awareness of sexual abuse, in order to get students thinking about how they can solve these problems. These events were designed to be welcoming and accessible for students of all sexual orientations. The seminar on Oct. 5 was presented in SUB 1 by Nichole Nicholas of SSAC. “This topic is very important on campus,” she said. “It’s been requested
by many students and faculty.” Nicholas explained that healthy relationships require equality, balance, respect, and tenacity from both partners. Students must be able to set boundaries with clarity, and if the partner doesn’t respect them, then they need to end the relationship to avoid falling into a cycle of abuse. The presentation was conducted with the aid of PowerPoint and video, followed by Q&A activities that required audience participation. The material was especially sobering, such as when the audience learned that one in five women are sexually assaulted in the college environment, or that one in three students report
dating violence by a previous partner. This led to a lively discussion between students based around their personal experiences and how they related to these statistics. The discussions explained the abuse that individuals have suffered in the past, making the information clear and personal to the audience. Participants expressed genuine candor when sharing their stories, and people were open shared their ideal characteristics in romantic partners. This direct and conversational approach benefitted everyone because they were able to learn from multiple perspectives. Nicholas added that a lot of Mason students don’t know about resources on campus. Students should be
Photo courtesy of STUDENT SUPPORT CENTER
The Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC) hosted a pair of hour-long Healthy Relationship seminars on Wednesday, Oct. 4 and Thursday, Oct. 5. as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
aware of the multiple departments and offices that they can turn to in emergencies, including the SSAC, Counseling & Psychological Services, and Department for Compliance, Diversity, & Ethics. These services provide students with the information
and guidance necessary to escape abuse so they can continue their lives in the Mason community.
NEWS
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10.16.2017
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MASON COMMUNITY TAKES BACK THE NIGHT Photos courtesy of RAVE APP
Students gather to march and speak out about sexual violence ABIGAIL ADCOX STAFF WRITER
MASON ADOPTS NEW PUBLIC SAFETY APP
Photo courtesy of MORGAN MCCARTHY
“Stop the violence! No more silence!” chanted students during the march at the Take Back the Night event on Oct. 3 in North Plaza. Take Back the Night is an annual international initiative that advocates for the end of sexual and domestic violence. The event represents a safe place for all and seeks to empower both victims and allies. “Violence, especially sexual violence, is very prevalent in college campuses,” said Kier Ashew, a sophomore. Ashew explained that she chose to attend because it was important for victims to destigmatize the topic. She also thought that Mason’s Take Back the Night was unique for how inclusive it was to survivors of all types of violence, including racism and deportation, instead of only focusing on sexual assault.
(WAVES) co-sponsored the event.
SARAH WHEELER STAFF WRITER
SSAC is open Monday-Friday in Student Union Building I, Suite 3200. The office provides one-on-one support, interactive programming, and both on- and off-campus resources about a variety of topics, including healthy relationships, sexual assault, and drug and alcohol use. Additionally, they offer a 24-hour Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence Crisis Line that can be reached at 703-380-1434. Though it is an international event, Mason has observed Take Back the Night since 1997 to promote education and support for victims on campus.
There is a new way to stay safe and connected while on campus thanks to a personal safety app called Rave Guardian, which Environmental Health & Safety and the Department of Police & Public Safety here at Mason recently adopted. According to David Farris, the Executive Director of Safety and Emergency Management, the new platform will act as a virtual “blue light” phone in case of an emergency on campus.
Photo courtesy of MORGAN MCCARTHY
“Rave provides better two-way communication and reporting to university police,” said Farris. “It allows users to contact police and relay their location using the location services available through their phones and profile information.” One of the key features of the app is the ability to add guardians, which are friends and family that can help to watch over you when you activate the safety timer. This safety timer allows your chosen Guardians to monitor your status and location while the timer counts down.
Students had the chance to share their personal experiences and participate in a march of unity against violence. Representatives of several student organizations spoke during the gathering, including Mason DREAMers and survivors of many different types of violence.
In addition to this safety feature, there are also two buttons on the app to contact Mason police or immediately dial 911.
“Let’s take back the night for the women that live in fear,” said the Mason DREAMers representative.
Farris also notes that, “this app also allows you to send tips or file reports with university police anonymously, and it integrates with Mason Alert.”
Other students delivered speeches, spoken word performances, and poetry about their personal experiences.
The Rave app is available for both iOS and Android phones.
“You are strong and worthy of happiness,” said one student speaker to other survivors of domestic violence. The Women and Gender Studies Center and Wellness, Alcohol, and Violence Education and Services
Rave Guardian App Provides Students with Virtual “Blue Light” Emergency Phones
Stations were set up for the various counseling services Mason provides to students, including WAVES, the Counseling and Psychological Services office, and the Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC).
Photo courtesy of MORGAN MCCARTHY
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LIFESTYLE
10.16.2017
MASON ALUMNA LEADS A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS THAT CATERS TO MUSLIM-AMERICAN WOMEN Mason alumna designs a fashion forward business with a purpose ANGELIQUE ARINTOK STAFF WRITER
Mason alumna Sana Mahmood started her fashion business called Veiled Beaut in April 2016. The company caters to Muslim-American women who struggle to find high-quality clothes and hijabs (a kind of Muslim headscarf) at an affordable price. Due to the lack of options Mahmood encountered when she started to wear
the consumers with plentiful options. Scarves are priced as low as $10, and a bundle of five cotton essentials costs $40. Classic dusters and kimonos are also sold on the website, ranging from $35-$50. All products are subject to intermittent sales, making them even more affordable than the regular retail price. According to Mahmood, the company’s mission “consists of two things: providing Muslim women with affordable, high-quality products and the second is to instill a sense of responsibility within [the] customers.”
Photo courtesy of SANA MAHMOOD
her hijab, she says that she “began to conduct [her] own research [to] see if other Muslim women were having the same issue.” What she noticed is that the variety in style, materials, and colors in clothes and hijabs were simply not diverse enough. Mahmood took the initiative in starting her own business using self-taught practices and reading both print and online materials. She adds that “there are so many free resources out there, [she] never felt to buy anything extra.”
Businesses like Veiled Beaut remove the stresses and worries of finding wardrobe essentials. The demographic of Veiled Beaut goes beyond just Muslim-American women. Anyone can be seen wearing these pieces. Additionally, Mahmood wants the company to inspire consumers. In the summer of 2016, the founder herself visited Jordan with a non-profit organization called Helping Hand. There, she volunteered with Syrian and Palestinian refugees. She spent time in Jordan “listening to the stories of refugees, playing with the orphans,
The business is in good hands with Mahmood as the founder and main operator. To assist her with daily operations and execution, she has a dedicated team of interns ready to take Veiled Beaut to the next level.
After her visit, Mahmood was persistent in contributing to the cause. Thus, she says she instilled a “10% donation policy in which [Veiled Beaut] donates 10% of all yearly profits to Helping Hand.” Her goal is to help sponsor the refugee orphans, and to increase awareness of national crises occurring in Middle Eastern countries. In fact, Mahmood sees Veiled Beaut employing refugees in the near future.
MASON STUDENTS BRING #HAPPYPERIOD TO CAMPUS Homeless women have to make a difficult choice between food and feminine hygiene products HAILEY BULLIS STAFF WRITER
“Periods are not taboo. Periods are not taboo. Periods are not taboo.” This phrase was written on a paper pad and stuck on a tree near the Hub. You may have seen similar ones posted around campus. The reason behind it is simple, to bring awareness to the #HappyPeriod campaign organized by the Patriot Activities Council Oct. 4-20.
Feminine hygiene products are among the highest requested donations at homeless shelters, with socks being the number one most requested. However, much like socks, feminine hygiene products are rarely donated
In the next few years, Mahmood also hopes to expand her clothing line and provide more student uniforms to Islamic private schools. One of the company’s mottos is to “purchase with a purpose.” She hopes her engagement with Muslim-American women and the community will increase awareness toward a larger cause than herself. The company has been on the rise since April 2016, and is projected to grow as time goes on. Mason alumna, Sana Mahmood, centers the business on the consumers, while simultaneously contributing to good causes. Veiled Beaut truly embodies fashion moving forward. To view their clothes and scarves online, visit their website at www.veiledbeaut. com, follow them on Instagram @ veiled.beaut, or search for “Veiled Beaut” on Facebook.
Photo courtesy of HAILEY BULLIS
The #HappyPeriod campaign seeks to bring attention to the countless homeless women in America who have to fight to get tampons or pads every month when their periods start. Many have to resort to using t-shirts, cloth torn from clothes, or rolled up tissue paper.
to homeless shelters where they are so desperately needed.
This is why the #HappyPeriod campaign exists today. According to the Happy Period website, the org was started by Chelsea VonChaz and her mother, Cherryl Warner. They were both in Downtown LA in 2015 after she saw a homeless women with bloodstained undergarments.
Homeless people with periods must often choose between feminine hygiene products and food.
#HappyPeriod makes kits for homeless woman that include panty liners, tampons, pads, and soaps. To gain these items, PAC hosted events like “Menstrual Cycling” and “Happy High 5” and collected donations for the kits at kiosks in the Johnson Center. Photo courtesy of SANA MAHMOOD
to make at least 500 kits or more. I would really like to make more but 500 is the goal because that’s what we did last year. And I would like to make at least that if not more,” said Rey.
She says that she “see[s] a company whose products are solely made by these hardworking individuals.”
Tr a c ey Cadogan b ro u g h t #HappyPeriod to George Mason University last year and Shernelle Rey, senior, continued the campaign this year.
Mahmood’s executive intern, Maryam Ahmed, was described as an “invaluable asset to [the] company,” as her and the team facilitate various campaigns, projects, events, photoshoots, and marketing tactics to further the reach of the business. Veiled Beaut has a number of clothing, scarves, and accessories available on the website. The various patterns, colors, textures, and materials provide
and assisting any way [she] could.”
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“I’m kind of excited. I want to be able
“[#HappyPeriod] helps a lot of women, because I know for me, pads and tampons and all of that stuff is very expensive. I know that there’s a lot of people that cannot afford to pay for these things,” said Rey.
For those who choose hygiene, another decision must be made between price and quality as seen in a Menstrual Hygiene Report at http://menstrualhygieneday.org. The report also shows that even when women have access to hygiene products, they are often too embarrassed to ask for the products they need. The #HappyPeriod organization seeks to end this stigma and taboo surrounding periods. On Oct. 20, PAC will host “Packing Day” to organize and put together the kits to be taken to the #HappyPeriod chapter in D.C.
LIFESTYLE
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10.16.2017
09
NORTHERN VIRGINIA’S IHOP ALTERNATIVE Casual resturant serving you 24/7 since the 1960s
With locations in Vienna and Herndon, Amphora is a family-run group founded by the Cholakis and Bilidas families, who opened the Amphora Restaurant in Vienna in the late 1960s. Throughout the years, the company has grown and opened up another location in Herndon called the Amphora Diner Deluxe. Both locations
offer catering options and have their own bakeries with varied selections. Other than being open 24/7, what’s remarkable about the Amphora locations is that they’re open during the holidays. With Amphora’s large selection of food, customers don’t have to worry about having limited options. Unlike other restaurants, Amphora’s Herndon bakery offers birthday celebration options that allow customers to decorate their own cakes with professional pastry chefs. Both Amphora locations are essentially the same in terms of what they have to offer, but the Amphora Diner Deluxe has a more unique and flashy exterior
JANET MOCK COMES TO MASON FOR FALL FOR THE BOOK Transgender activist on her life and book JAMES STEMPLE STAFF WRITER
Fall for the Book is an annual event hosted at Mason by a non-profit organization of the same name in hopes of educating the many students on campus. Its many events are mostly (if not all) free to the public.
Mock’s discussion in Harris Theater on Oct. 11. The theater was packed to the brim with people who cheered when the lights dimmed as Mock and associate professor Wendi ManuelScott walked on stage.
The topics range from documentaries about Oscar Zeta Acosta, stories of Ernest Hemingway’s secret life as a spy, and poetry readings straight from the authors. There are even some workshops for those who wish to attend.
Janet Mock, a Honolulu native, began her male to female transition early in her life. Taking her first name from Janet Jackson, she’s achieved recognition as a transgender activist and has been a New York Times bestseller as well as holding editor’s positions in People magazine and Marie Claire International magazine.
One such event that highlights cultural growth was author and activist Janet
Both Amphora restaurants offer an expansive menu with more than 350 options to choose from. Customers can pick from a variety of pastas, burgers, salads, and Belgian waffles. In terms of the breakfast options, customers are able to make their dish a “deluxe”, which means that their order can include their choice of ham, sizzling bacon, or sausage with two eggs in any style that they prefer to have them cooked. Amphora offers a wide variety of
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The festival’s mission statement is to connect readers and authors on a deeper, personal level beyond just reading written works. These presentations also hope to develop a sense of cultural growth through reading.
that stands out from its surroundings, especially at night. However, there’s nothing wrong with the Amphora Restaurant’s more traditional exterior and both locations essentially look similar on the inside.
The conversation on stage was very relaxed and conversational—it was almost like it was simply two friends having a normal conversation in front of a live audience. The lights were
centered on Mock and Manuel-Scott as they opened up with casual conversation about hypothetical dinner parties and Beyoncé. The crowd cheered at Mock’s responses. It wasn’t all casual, however—Mock would go off on tangents about trans and African American rights that were met with claps of admiration and approval before she’d stop and ask, “wait, what was the question again? Did I even answer it?”
sundaes, splits, and pies for dessert. Like the dessert menu, Amphora’s bakeries offer freshly baked cakes and made-from-scratch cheesecakes like its award-winning strawberry cheesecake. Amphora offers different drinking options as well which include sweet and creamy shakes, fizzy sodas that you can create yourself, and alcohol. Amphora’s atmosphere is mostly casual and relaxed and customers are free to choose between sitting in a booth, table, or one of the private banquet rooms that are available. Then they are given bread and butter that they can eat while browsing the expansive menu. The restaurants pride themselves on their high-quality food based on fresh ingredients. If customers have an issue Mock was passionate in her answers and stated her genuine care for “her sisters” as black trans women aren’t “expected to live past 35.” Mock hopes to combat stigma through her storytelling. This was the subject of her latest book, “Surpassing Certainty: What My Twenties Taught Me,” a memoir of moments in her life and her journey of becoming an adult during her twenties. Mock shared some stories featured in the book with charisma, and even told some stories — like one night when
with a dish or want something more, the staff will gladly help make their dining experience better. In 2015, the Washingtonian named the Amphora in its “Best of Washington” list of restaurants. Amphora has its own newsletter and four social media platforms where people can follow them, including Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, and Instagram. During this fall and upcoming winter season, Amphora will host Spooky Gingerbread House Workshops and Holiday Gingerbread House Workshops at its Herndon location. They will also offer gingerbread house kits that customers can take home. Amphora also offers Thanksgiving pie selections until Nov. 20. someone touched her hair without her permission — that weren’t featured in her book, to which she exclaimed “Damn! I should’ve put that in; it’s a good story.” Mock’s discussion was only one of many events organized for Fall for the Book. Don’t worry if you missed this year, there will always be next year with many more amazing authors and free events where anyone can connect with.
Photo courtesy of MORGAN MCCARTHY
If you are unfamiliar with IHOP, it’s a 24/7 restaurant where people can have breakfast for dinner. While it is well known for having an affordable selection of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, customers can have a similar but new experience at the Amphora Diner Deluxe and Amphora Restaurant.
FOURTH ESTATE/MICHELLE GARDNER
CHRISTINE VIRAY STAFF WRITER
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10.16.2017
LIFESTYLE
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ALL THINGS GO FALL CLASSIC A music festival for the music lovers of D.C. JAMES STEMPLE AND BASMA HUMADI STAFF WRITER AND ASSISTANT LIFESTYLE EDITOR
The fourth annual All Things Go Fall Classic premiered recently and featured acts from all kinds of genres across the music-packed weekend. The festival was born from D.C. music blog “All Things Go.” The blog’s founders wanted to bring their passion for music to life, and so the Fall Classic was created to headline some of the biggest names in music.
off slow with not many people and continued to build as the night went on. Vince Staples and Young Thug were the acts of the night. Staples came onstage just as high-energy as the crowd. Headliner of the night, Young
This year, the event was hosted in Union Market in a loading dock area packed to the brim with food stalls, merch stalls, and a well-stocked bar. The festival is split into three days with a focus on a general genre for each day: electronic the first day, hip-hop/rap the second, and alternative/indie the third. We attended all three days and can say that it was a blast to see all these people come together and jam out to some talented artists.
Photo courtesy of DOUG VAN SANT
The very first day was electronic heavy. The bass felt like it was going to hit you in the chest if you got too close to the stage. Spectators who ventured to the front were well stocked with ear plugs. The venue wasn’t very populated until later into the night and most people were there to see the headliners: Galantis. By the time The Knocks—the act right before Galantis—came on, it was impossible to be in the crowd and not smell the sweat and hair of the person standing in front of you. But it was well worth the sacrifice. When Galantis came on, the crowd went wild. They played songs like “You”, “No Money” and “True Feeling.”
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The sea of light and jumping people was enough to make even the most EDM-averse smile. The duo of Galantis beat on giant war drums and smiled in unison; you could see they weren’t just performing, they were enjoying themselves. The second day was a beast of a similar nature. It felt like the bass was even louder than the previous day. The sushi burritos from Buredo were still there and so were the ice cream sandwiches from Milk Cult. Many festival-goers continued to lineup at the free photo booth to snap pics and make the most of the night. The day started
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Thug, performed afterwards and played hits like “Relationship” and “Wyclef Jean”. Bleachers, an American indie pop band, immediately drew the crowd’s attention. Bleachers’ frontman Jack Antonoff came onstage with high energy and a bass that could pierce a person’s soul. As a surprise, they celebrated birthdays of two band members blowing out candles on two birthday cakes on stage and passing out cake to the audience. Bleachers ended with “I Wanna Get Better,” a song Antonoff wrote and describes as one of his mission statements in life. The last performer of the night of this year’s festival, Foster the People, came on with an aesthetic blue backdrop and slick-backed hair. Although best known for their hit “Pumped Up Kicks,” the band proved the rest of their songs are just as catchy. The crowd welcomed the light rain that started during Foster the People’s set as a chance to cool off. An entirely ground-up initiative bringing a light to Washington D.C., All Things Go provides much needed escapism, community, and vibes for all attendees.
10.16.2017
GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE
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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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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:
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MONDAYS @ 6:30PM
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Wednesdays @ 12PM
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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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OPINION
10.16.2017
GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE
IS CAMPUS FREE SPEECH TRULY FREE? JIMMY O’HARA CONTRIBUTOR
Peaceful resistance against hate is an important form of learning outside the classroom, and many in our Patriot community practice this at the heart of GMU’s campus, North Plaza. A popular location for various forms of protest – think of the hate preacher who broaches controversial topics by Robinson Hall – students assume North Plaza is a designated “free speech zone.” While we can facilitate learning through resisting hate, it is important to be aware of how “free speech” is defined on campus and know how to approach this definition. Although House Bill 258 “prohibits public institutions of higher education from imposing restrictions on time, place, and manner” of First Amendment protected speech in outdoors areas of an institution’s campus, there’s a catch: House Bill 258 states if such restrictions are “reasonable,” “justified without reference to the content of the regulated speech,” “are narrowly tailored to serve a significant governmental interest,” and “leave open ample alternative channels for communication of the information,” the exercise of free speech can be overridden. College campuses are hotspots for igniting conversation about differing
perspectives. If there are restrictions to “free speech zones” on campus, how can we as students, faculty, and staff encourage and facilitate a culture of open-minded learning through our interactions with free speech demonstrations on campus? How can we encourage scholarship by resisting hate? Mason’s Freedom of Expression Statement states “. . .being open to the ideas and opinions of other members of the community will lead to discussion that is characterized by courtesy, mutual respect, and charity,” which I agree with because practicing open-mindedness and patience in the face of intolerance is part of the academic process. Learning takes a variety of forms, and the skills that patient bystanders gain from engaging in the art of active listening are invaluable. Although people have the right to free speech under “reasonable” circumstances, this doesn’t mean we can’t resist ignorance. The patience I describe is not to be confused with liking, or even tolerating, the perspectives presented by a group with whom you disagree. Trust me, every time I pass by the homophobic preacher, I’m tempted to punch him in the face.
But I can counter his ignorance through more creative methods. Like the counter-protester who, standing by the preacher, held a sign that read “You Deserve Hugs,” I have the power to walk up to the preacher and kiss my boyfriend right in front of him. Although I find his views detestable, I can challenge his line of thinking. It is important to note that there are limitations to the perspective I offer. In accordance with Mason’s Code of Student Conduct, examples of expression that will not be tolerated within the context of campus free speech laws include groups that represent violence and inhumanity like white supremacists and neo-Nazis. Next time you pass through North Plaza and a lawful, reasonable person or group with whom you disagree is exercising their right to free speech, I challenge you to approach it as a learning opportunity outside of the classroom. You have a powerful pair of tools: your ears and your words, with which you’re free to give them hell.
MASON’S STATEMENT ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION George Mason University believes that through active participation in an intellectually and culturally diverse learning community, students are better prepared to deal with the issues they encounter in a rapidly changing and diverse society. In the presentation of ideas, the University encourages a balanced approach and respect for contrary points of view. Being open to the ideas and opinions of other members of the community leads to discussion that is characterized by courtesy, mutual respect, and charity. Congruent with these ideas is the principle that all members of the George Mason University community enjoy the right to freedom of speech and expression. The right to free speech and expression does not include unlawful activity or activity that endangers or threatens to endanger the safety or well-being of any member of the community. Further, it does not include any activity that materially interferes with the education or well-being of other students or the mission of the institution. Members of the community are encouraged to actively participate in programs and activities of the University that support the identified values of the community. Additionally, all members of the community are expected to abide by local, state, federal, and international laws. Reprinted from George Mason University Code of Student Conduct 2016-2017 Photo courtesy of EVAN CANTWELL/CREATIVE SERVICES
OPINIONS
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10.16.2017
Opinions do not reflect the views of Fourth Estate. Submit opinions to frehman3@gmu.edu
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GRAPHIC/MARY JANE DECARLO
PATRIOT POLITICS: AUTOMATIC WEAPONS
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: Should automatic weapons be banned? George Mason College Democrats
George Mason College Republicans
ANDREW MILLIN CHIEF OF STAFF, GEORGE MASON DEMOCRATS
JOHN KIELBOWICZ SECRETARY, GEORGE MASON COLLEGE REPUBLICANS
Yes.
No, but for all intents and purposes they are banned. Of the over 300 million privately owned firearms in the United States only 175,977 are classified as automatic and subject to the additional restrictions levied on automatic firearms. Let’s look at the current restrictions imposed on automatic firearms:
It is important to note the distinction between automatic weapons and semi-automatic weapons. According to PolitiFact, the difference between a semi-automatic weapon and an automatic weapon is the number of rounds fired per pull of the trigger. In a semi-automatic weapon, only one round is fired per pull of the trigger. An automatic weapon can fire multiple rounds with one pull of the trigger. There is absolutely no rational explanation for having a weapon that can cause such destruction for any reason other than to kill. Manufacturing automatic weapons for civilian use has been difficult in the United States since the 1986 Firearm Owners’ Protection Act (FOPA) was passed. However, any automatic weapon made and sold before then is totally legal to own because of a grandfathering clause. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) there are over 630,000 automatic weapons registered in the United States. These weapons can still be sold legally, which is outrageous. These are weapons
Additionally, and most importantly, the conversation about gun control should not just focus on the guns themselves. Modifications for weapons can turn weapons commonly used for hunting and self defense into mass murdering machines. Bump stocks are the most glaring example of this. Bump stocks allow a semi-automatic weapon to go from shooting one bullet per pull of the trigger to up to 800 rounds per minute. They were created by Jeremiah Cottle 2010, an Air Force veteran and gun enthusiast. He is now the founder of Slide Fire which manufactures bump stocks. To get ATF approval for the prototype device, all he had to do was prove the device was not itself an automatic weapon. Twelve bump stock-modified rifles were found in the Las Vegas shooter’s hotel room. Now is the time for Congress and the country to get serious about gun control because it sure is long overdue. According to the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, U.S. gun deaths in 2010 were equivalent to losing 85 human lives a day.
Prior to the 1934 National Firearms Act (NFA) automatic firearms such as machine guns were not regulated any differently than any other firearm, in fact citizens could order a Thompson submachine gun through a mail order catalog. Because of prohibition and the rise of organized crime, the government sought to make it practically impossible for any private individual to be able to afford to purchase an automatic firearm. Some requirements under the NFA are to: pay a tax of $200, submit to a background check, register the firearm with the federal government, get the chief of local law enforcement to approve your application, and wait and hope the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) approves your application.
Additional restrictions to the sale of automatic firearms were added in 1968 under the Gun Control Act (GCA). The new restrictions under the GCA prohibited the importation of automatic firearms for sale to private citizens. The GCA was later revised in 1986 under the Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA). FOPA made it illegal for any private citizen to purchase or own any automatic firearm manufactured after May 19, 1986. These regulations only inhibit law-abiding citizens from exercising their constitutional rights. More gun control = higher crime rate. Chicago has some of the toughest gun control laws in the country but saw 762 firearm related murders; the highest number to date. From the period of 1993-2013 the firearm homicide rate dropped 49 percent while the number of privately owned firearms increased 56 percent. Firearm ownership is a deterrent to crime. The Second Amendment needs to be strengthened not weakened. “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
Photo courtesy of PEXELS.COM
And to some extent they are.
designed for maximum damage and should not be available to the average citizen.
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C L A S S I FC IL EA DS SS I F I E Help Wanted
Help Wanted
House Sitter/Cat sitter Needed 11/29-12/9. Quiet townhouse near GMU. Looking for a quiet place to study before finals and like cats-then I am looking for you. References required. Please contact me at behadley@gmail.com if interested in this opportunity.
House Sitter/Cat sitter Needed 11/29-12/9. Quiet townhouse near GMU. Looking for a quiet place to study before finals and like cats-then I am looking for you. References required. Please contact me at behadley@gmail.com if interested in this opportunity.
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10.16.2017
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YOUR SPACE Faculty and Staff 10:00am – 12:00pm Students 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Every Friday SUB 1, Room 2400 ODIME is an office of University Life
@ODIME_GMU ODIME.GMU.EDU
It is important, now more than ever, to have an ongoing space for discussion, reflection, and healing. While prompted by recent tragic events that occurred over summer, ODIME remains dedicated to supporting faculty, staff, and students who are impacted by local, national, and global events. Please join us…let’s continue this conversation, together. For more information, please visit: odime.gmu.edu/your-space/ODIME_GMU