10.23.2017 - Fourth Estate by Student Media George Mason University

FOURTH ESTATE Oct. 23, 2017 Volume 5 Issue 7

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWSPAPER

@ivestate | gmufourthestate.com

INTRODUCING FACES OF MASON

page

LIFESTYLE

NEWS Meet Mason’s newly elected student senators “I value how much student government cares for the community here at Mason”

Did you know Happy Death Day had hidden themes and messages?

page 4

LIFESTYLE

OPINIONS Is it offensive to wear culture-based Halloween costumes? Mason’s cultural organizations answer page 9

Discover fun and creative costume ideas for your upcoming Halloween festivities

page 12

page 8

10.23.2017

FOURTH ESTATE

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

WE ARE HIRING! We are currently looking to fill the following paid editor positions for the Fall 2017 semester: - OPINIONS EDITOR - SPORTS EDITOR - GRAPHICS EDITOR

“We came equals into this world, and equals shall we go out of it.” -George Mason As a member of Fourth Estate, this quote encouraged me to better present its significance in our paper. Day by day we see students and faculty members rushing to grab some coffee, going to class, and occasionally using the bench space to stop for a moment to relax. We attend these classes with students and professors and leave the campus with no knowledge of who they are. With the multitude of student organizations on campus, many unique clubs and activities can be overlooked. Professors may seem difficult and may assign tons of work but they too were students in the past. I stand across the clock tower and watch as swarms of my peers walk past each other. It builds a sense of curiosity in my mind as I begin to look at all these faces and think to myself, who are you? In this issue of Fourth Estate, readers can look forward to the debut of FACES OF MASON. FACES OF MASON delves into the lives of Mason students, faculty, alumni, and organizations every week. This week we take a close look at Mason student Henry Munoz, SCAR Professor Sarah Rose-Jensen and the Afghan Student Union (ASU). (Read more on p. 11) If you know of a Mason student, faculty member, alumnus or alumna, or organization that would like to be featured on FACES OF MASON please submit your request via: https://goo.gl/HZ4SMd

Fareeha Rehman Sosan Malik 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 Photo Editor

Emmett Smith

Sosan Malik, Co Editor-in-Chief

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

We are always recruiting volunteers for:

Jessica Smith Business Office Manager

- NEWS WRITERS COVER PHOTO CREDITS

- LIFESTYLE WRITERS - SPORTS WRITERS

Co-Editor-in-Chief Sosan Malik

Co-Editor-in-Chief Fareeha Rehman

- COPY EDITORS

Mason Creative Services, Afghan Student Union, Sarah Rose-Jensen, Henry Munoz News Student sentators courtesy of Caiti Lively

- DESIGNERS

Lifestyle Death Day Fourth Estate/Billy Ferguson

- PHOTOGRAPHERS

Opinions ‘Lean On’ music video still

For all inquiries, please email and 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

Lifestyle Batgirl Fourth Estate/Angelique Arintok

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

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

NEWS

10.23.2017

MASON RECOGNIZED FOR STUDENT VOTER PARTICIPATION

Senior Monica Vidaurri hosted a discussion about student voting at the Newseum MICHAEL EBERHART NEWS EDITOR

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge recently recognized Mason with a Silver Campus Seal of Achievement for reaching over 60 percent participation by student voters in last year’s presidential election. Mason senior Monica Vidaurri spoke alongside two former U.S. secretaries of education at the organization’s awards ceremony. The event was held at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, Oct. 19. FOURTH ESTATE/MICHAEL EBERHART

Vidaurri, who studies astrobiology as well as government and international politics at Mason, was motivated to get involved by the apathy towards voting she saw among other students. “It was just very frustrating going through school and seeing other people my age – some of my best friends – just not care at all, especially about policies and people that were speaking on

these policies that would directly affect them,” said Vidaurri. According to Vidaurri, colleges like Mason have an important role to play in changing that disinterest into higher voter turnout. “When we’re talking about voter engagement and actually getting out to vote, education is probably one of the biggest factors that’s going to go into [participation],” she said. “If you’re educated, you’re more likely to vote.” Catherine Fish, associate director at ALL IN, recommended several policies and programs that universities could implement to increase student voting. “One of the big ones is institutionalizing voter registration in current processes,’ said Fish, “making it really easy when students get their student ID to also give them access to register

to vote, or integrating it into their IT using programs such as TurboVote. When students register for classes they can also access voter registration information. Then, in terms of voter education, we encourage professors and extracurricular administrators to have conversations about politics, civics, volunteering, service learning and all of those things that create active and engaged citizens. And then on the voter turnout side of things, we encourage campuses to help provide transportation access to the polls and to try and get polling places on their campuses… A lot of campuses don’t even have one near them, so that’s already a big advantage and a leg up.” Mason’s on-campus polling place is in Merten Hall. The next opportunity for students to vote will be the election for Virginia’s next governor on Nov. 7.

CAMPUS POLL REVEALS STUDENT VOTER APATHY Informal poll shows many students not voting ALEX SHEDD ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

An informal poll conducted on campus revealed that a majority of polled students are either not voting in or unsure about the upcoming Virginia gubernatorial election. Of the sixty-five polled students, eight students, about twelve percent, said they would be voting for Democrat Ralph Northam. Five students, about eight percent, said they would vote for Republican Ed Gillespie. Twenty-two students, about thirty-four percent, said they would probably vote, but were unsure of who the candidates are or of which way they would vote. Finally, thirty students, an overwhelming forty-six percent, said they would not be voting at all.

“30 percent of the eligible voting population in Virginia are millennials.” Gallup, Inc. facts

FOURTH ESTATE/BILLY FERGUSON

The poll was conducted in the Roger Wilkins Plaza on the afternoon of October 18th and randomly polled sixty-five students passing by. All polled students claimed to be eligible to vote in Virginia.

NEWS

10.23.2017

MASON ELECTS NEW STUDENT SENATORS Incoming freshmen and transfer students fill seats in 2017-2018 student government OLIVIA VERMANE STAFF WRITER

Mason’s student government recently held semi-annual elections, with ten new members from the incoming freshmen class voted in to the student senate.

senator, Ford said that she is looking forward to having a voice within the Mason community and being able to represent her freshman class in the senate.

The election was one of two organized every year to fill the 40-member senate. As the largest branch of student government, the senate passes legislation affecting the university. It is broken down into several committees responsible for different areas of student life

Elizabeth Marge, another one of Mason’s newly elected freshman student senators, was also very involved in student government in high school. Although the recent university election process was stressful, she enjoyed meeting and networking with new people and hearing what they had to say.

Ariana Ford, a biology major with a minor in business management, is one of the newly elected senators from the freshmen class. Ford is no stranger to student government, having served as class president through all four years of high school. “Being that student government was an important part of my high school experience, I wanted to continue to have an impact on what the students want to get out of their college experience here at Mason,” said Ford. Ford has always had a passion for politics, especially social research and human rights organizations, and she is considering a career in the political world. Although she is still deciding on ideas for her initiatives as a student

“From the social media accounts to flyers it was definitely a lot, but it all was worth it,” she said. Marge said that she personally values student government at Mason because the organization is a way for students to voice their opinion and make necessary changes throughout the university. She is already discussing her plans and goals as a student senator. “I am aiming to create a schoolwide card making campaign for the holidays and Valentine’s Day,” said Marge. “These cards will be sent overseas to our veterans, since almost all of them do not have the opportunity to come home for the holidays.”

Marge plans to stay involved with the student government organization and hopes to continue next year as well.

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

MASON LIFE STUDENT CHANGES STUDENT GOVERNMENT Madison Essig champions rights ISABELLA LAMAGDELEINE STAFF WRITER

Although many of the newly elected student senators have prior experience working in student government, some have not had the opportunity to represent their school in such a way before coming to Mason. Alli Cromich, a freshman government major, is very excited to work in student government for the first time. “Student government is essential to the Mason community,” said Cromich. “It’s a way for students to reach out to faculty and staff and speak on behalf of the thousands of students here on what we want to accomplish. I value how much student government cares for the community here at Mason, and how everything we do is on behalf of our diverse community and done to better the university as a whole. Although she has not had the chance to be part of this kind of organization before, Cromich is currently an intern for the Rich Anderson political campaign and plans to work in politics.

Photo courtesy of MADISON ESSIG

Madison Essig did not set out to be a trailblazer. She takes the same classes, eats in the same dining halls, and thinks of Mason as her home just like the rest of the student body. However, the rest of the students here at George Mason were expected to graduate from high school.

Before this semester, student government rules prevented Mason LIFE students from running for office. However, the student senate recently passed legislation to change the constitution so that students like Madison are allowed to run in campus elections.

Essig was born with Down Syndrome. At the time of her birth, her parents were told that she may not be able to learn to read or write. Graduating from high school and attending college were completely out of the question.

“Mason is supposed to be an inclusive community, and they have not been fulfilling that,” Essig said.

But due to her determination, hard work, and active role in the classroom, Essig graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in June 2016. According to the Washington Post, she is believed to be the first student with Down Syndrome to graduate with a standard diploma from a Washington high school since the D.C. public school system began keeping digital records in 1996.

Due to the success of the senate bill, Essig plans to run for student senate in the upcoming spring election.

Essig is currently a sophomore in Mason’s Learning Into Future Environments (LIFE) program. She is also Mason LIFE’s representative in the student senate. Photo courtesy of CAITI LIVELY

“It is time for Mason to step up their game,” she said after the passage of the aptly named Madison’s Bill.

When asked why she wants to be involved with the student government here at Mason, Essig said that “I think it’s important to have a voice… student government has done a lot of great things, and I want to make sure that keeps going.” After her college graduation, Essig hopes to become a professional advocate for people with disabilities.

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

NEWS

10.23.2017

ANNUAL SAFETY FAIR COMES TO MERTEN HALL OCT. 26 Events will include a mock dorm room burning staged by Fairfax firefighters

SARAH WHEELER STAFF WRITER

The annual Mason Ready Life Safety Fair will be held on the lawn outside Merten Hall on Thursday, Oct. 26 from 2-4 p.m. According to Zachary Pope, the director of University Life and Emergency Management, the goal for this event is to bring the Mason community together to learn about safety and preparedness. “It’s an opportunity for students to meet the first responders, university departments, and other outside organizations that help to keep our campus safe and healthful in a fun, laid back environment,” Pope said. Photo courtesy of EVAN CANTWELL/MASON CREATIVE SERVICES

The fair will be a joint presentation

by the offices of University Life, Environmental Health & Safety, University Police and the City of Fairfax Fire Department. This year’s event will offer free food and promotional giveaways, including free t-shirts. Students will be able to participate in fun activities like an obstacle course and bumper cars, as well as more serious subjects such as fire extinguisher training, making tornado kits, extraction from a vehicle accident, and a controlled fire demonstration with a mock dorm room burn by Fairfax firefighters. “Students especially won’t want to miss the annual mock residence hall room burn at 4 p.m.,” Pope said. “The City

of Fairfax Fire Department will ignite a mock dorm room to help attendees visualize how a fire can go from a small flicker to a raging inferno in a matter of seconds.” Students who live on campus will also have the opportunity to get their curtains or tapestries fire-treated at the event. Mason Ready 2017 is open to the public and all Mason students, faculty, and staff. Parking for non-permit holders will be available in the visitor area of the Rappahannock Parking Deck.

MASON CELEBRATES HALLOWEEN WITH UPCOMING CAMPUS EVENTS

Discounts for King’s Dominion Haunted Park, Witch Watch and more

Photo courtesy of STUDENT INVOLVMENT

CLAIRE UNDERWOOD STAFF WRITER

As Halloween approaches, most college students are eager to make plans to celebrate the occasion. George Mason has worked with the Office of Student Involvement as well as the Patriot Activity Council to plan some inexpensive, student-oriented activities for everyone to enjoy.

which will leave at 3 p.m. and return at midnight. Both buses will depart from and return to the Shenandoah Parking Deck. Students may also provide their own transportation if it is available to them.

Every year, Mason offers a discounted deal for students to visit King’s Dominion Halloween Haunt and this year is no exception. The event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 28. Although discounted tickets for Mason students are already sold out, general admission tickets are still available from the park. In addition to the rides at King’s Dominion, tickets include access to several haunted houses and mazes, as well as spooky shows. A $10 meal voucher is also offered for the day.

One such activity is the annual Witch Watch on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 12-3 p.m. The event is open to both Mason students as well as families in the Fairfax community. It will be held on the lawn outside of Merten Hall and will include a variety of Halloween activities like trick-or-treating and candy giveaways.

Transportation to King’s Dominion is available for an additional $10 charge, with two buses leaving and returning to Mason at different times throughout the day. Tickets for the first bus from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. are unfortunately already sold out, but rides are still available with the second bus

Other events are also planned around campus for Halloween this year.

Also on Oct. 28, students from International Friendship Connection will be hosting a pumpkin carving and costume contest. According to the organization, their events are “designed to bridge the divide between international and domestic students through social activities and events.” The contests will be held in the George Mason Global Center at 5:30 p.m. The Patriot Activities Council is partnering with the Cosplay Club to host other fun, costume-themed events for

Geek Week from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3. Specifically relating to Halloween, they will organize a costume competition on Tuesday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. in the HUB ballroom. Costumes will be judged on their design, performance and creativity, with prizes awarded for the top three characters. This event will also be co-hosted by Mason’s Anime and Gaming Society. The office of Student Involvement and the Patriot Activities Council work hard to plan activities for students of many interests to enjoy, and Halloween is a great time to take advantage of that.

NEWS

10.23.2017

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

TIMELINE OF TRANSPARENT GMU LAWSUIT ALEX SHEDD ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

This information has been provided by a comprehensive document from Transparent GMU along with the appropriate articles, posts, and correspondences.

Apr

Photo courtesy of TRANSPARENT GMU

subm l 2, 2 i CK ts thei 015 F/G r se Tra co MU und er Fo nd r nspar pert FoIA, a undatio equest ent GM aini ng t s well a n dono to see U o th Jun e do s past c r agree the o m nati e 4 ons. rrespon ents ,2 that denc gath 015 es e T and corr ring and he adm e i don nistr at spond revie a over ions w ences p wing th tion clai e do m erta $8,0 ould they 00. cost ining cume s T n t o w r T a cam ill be nspar ransp the C ts aren KF ent paig “ t a G t n fo r the king a MU a GMU Ma docu brea nnou r n k” men that ch 21 from ces ts. , thei 2 the 0 r hon or t law sch 16 - G he l o the M ol w Ua ate C o pled KF and Justice uld be nnounc g r A e a scho e to do n anon ntonin enamed s ol ov ymo nate Scal u ia to er th e ne $20 mi s second after Oct xt fi o ve y llion to donor prot ber 6 ears the ests , . law outs 2016 the ide law scho the r Trans enam pare ol. Jan n ing uar cere t GMU subm y 9, mon i y fo a R ts their 2017 r ichm third - Tr a ond agre n r spar equ e l CK ments, a aw fir m est wit ent GM F an h he nd r , se e e d lp U tion s an seven lated do king al from l g da oth cu Janu ll parties er charitments frorants, affili m a ary ated ble org the of a Com 12, 2 w i t h th nizaGM plian 017 em. U, c T e h e poss “ther o e a ffice t GMU F essio re el re n whic h ar of G no do ls Tran edom e res eorg c s pon e M uments parent Jan sive ason in t uar t o h the Tran y requ Univer e spar 17, 2 sity est.” ent Foun 0 17 G d Virg ation a MU su - The inia b c Cod request mits t ounsel e of for r o th fo Janu L e cord e GM r aw. a r s y U Uni und 31, 2 ve er th 017 Tran rsity e -T s F Uni parent oundat he Ge ve or G io corp rsity Fo MU, sa n res ge Mas y on p o u i the ration, ndation ng “Ge onds not Cod o , t rge Inc ap e tion Mas o is no of Virg ublic b . is a on o in t Info p r ma subject ia. As dy, as d rivate efine such tion to th , Act. d e Vi Sep ” rgin the fou in t ia Fr nda begi embe eedo n r mo GM for a law 22, 20 f U 1 s docu Found uit aga 7 - Ora inst atio men the l argum n to ts. reve school ents and al t he pert the inen t

TRANSPARENT GMU: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Student organization moves forward with lawsuit against school ALEXANDER SHEDD ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Transparent GMU, a student organization that “aims to shed light on the on the potential undue influence of GMU donors,” is moving forward with a lawsuit against the university administration and the GMU Foundation, a private corporation created by the school to handle donation money.

Freedom of Information Act, which states that documents related to public entities are public record.

The students of Transparent GMU have campaigned for several years now to uncover documents related to large donations made to the school. These donations primarily come from the Charles Koch Foundation.

With the aid of Appalachian Mountain Advocates, a law firm based in Richmond, Transparent GMU began oral arguments for their lawsuit on September 22nd, and will continue the arguments on Thursday, Oct. 26. Their attorney, Evan Johns, is representing the group pro bono in their case against the school.

Transparent GMU believes that these documents are being withheld from the public. The group hopes to gain access to these documents under the Virginia

Their requests to see these documents, which include grants, donor agreements, and email correspondence, have been repeatedly denied by the school and the foundation for three years.

FOURTH ESTATE/BILLY FERGUSON

200 5

- Th begi ns e C d Uni vers onation harles Koc ity t 201 h ota s to 7 don - the lar lling ov Geor Founda ated ti g g e to a est amo r $95 m e Ma on n u s y sch o n il 201 ool. t the fou lion as n 2 o n lear d a tion f n of Trans h p as begi the aren n d t ties researc onation GMU to h s h ’ ighe ing the from s foun the d r ed f o Apr u CK ers ucat nda F i t i o i l o n n an and . subm 14, d th 2 its t 0 eir 1 h GM U d eir first 4 - Tr ono a of I r n e s pa nfor r agre quest mat to se rent GM eme i o n n t s Apr Act. und e the C U er th i l 1 e Fr KF/ requ 8 eedo est i , 201 m s don atio denied 4 - Tra Mas ns we under nspar re o e t orga n Univ given he pret nt GMU ense ersit niza thro ’s y tion t u that Found gh the hat the Aug is no a G u t sub tion, a eorge pub st 2 j e lishe 0 c t to F private in th s an o 14 oIA Tran pen e Fo . lette ques urth spar r e tion E t n o effec s ab state in Presid t GM ou e v t on U the t the iting hi nt Cabr univ m to era don Sept ersit atio e ns a answer y. resp mber nd ond 5 thei “aca s in , 2014 r dem a P r ic fr e b s l i o d g eedo e Nov m is post, nt Cab e re neve s mee mber r for aying ra ts w 6 , that sale. 20 ith GM ” U F Janet 14 - Tr o B a the writ undatio ingham nsparen ten n , tG . pr S don or a he tells esident MU Dec g of t r e h eem “All mbe ents e group the we w r 9, d th o no 201 ant you! t exi at fo ” 4 st. Pres and 29 r Christ - A pet m id it 2 seve ent Ca candy as is a m ion stati cane brer n h n a’s s a eeting g have ours. Pres office o re deliv with neve id er cane v r rec s. eive ent Ca er the s ed to d th b r e pe era c pan of Feb titio l r n or aims to hold uary t h e ca 3 s ndy the an “As , 2015 kM stud Pres ent eA mat iden nyt bod io “has n perta y. He hing” m t Cabre cl in r alre e ady ing to aims th eting w a been at th ith the Ma e prov C r ided KF do inforfails ch 18 .” nati , to a 20 ons tt Any thin end a s 15 - P g” m resid econ e eetin d sc hedu nt Cab g. re led “Ask ra Me

NEWS

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

10.23.2017

INCOMING CLASS OF FALL 2017 MAKES MASON HISTORY It is the largest and most diverse since the university was founded LYDIA ANTONIO-VILA STAFF WRITER

According to the office of Admissions, 3,497 of this semester’s incoming students were freshmen and 2,862 were transfers. Seventy-five percent of transfer students came from Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA). “Many [NOVA] students decide to choose Mason because of our similar communities,” said one admissions officer. He emphasized the close-knit relationship between the two schools and programs like the Guaranteed Admissions Agreement that help students transfer to the university. The admissions officer also mentioned that one factor in Mason’s popularity is the school’s strategic location outside of D.C. The opening of Mason’s Korean campus in 2014 and the many study abroad partnerships with universities around the world have also given the school increased exposure and helped

to recruit foreign students. The diversity of its international student population is another reason that Mason’s incoming class stands out this year. Students from last year’s class came from 83 different countries, but the admissions office reported that the 2017-2018 class includes students from over 130 countries. For some new students, Mason is the first time that someone in their family has been able to attend college. According to admissions data, 37 percent of incoming freshmen are first generation students. Admissions officers said they take a “holistic approach” to considering these situations for accepting new students.

Photo courtesy of EVAN CANTWELL/MASON CREATIVE SERVICES

This fall, Mason welcomed its largest incoming class in the university’s history, with 6,359 new students on campus.

The wide variety of courses at Mason are another reason the admissions officer suggested for the school’s growing class size. “We offer a wide range of opportunities for all students,” he said, including “over 200 degree programs that help students maintain a personalized [college] experience.”

DEWBERRY HALL HOSTS EVENING CAREER FAIR Monday’s event offers students a chance to meet with 55 potential employers SARAH WHEELER STAFF WRITER

The office of Career Services will host a career night on Oct. 23 to follow up on the success of their fall career fair earlier this month. The event will be open to current students and Mason alumni held in the Johnson Center’s Dewberry Hall from 6-8 p.m. There will also be an Athlete’s Social Supper intended for student athletes to network from 8-9 p.m.

Photo courtesy of EVAN CANTWELL/,MASON CREATIVE SERVICES

According to University Career Services Director Bernadette Devery, they recently added the event to their calendar due to continuing high demand from employers for Mason graduates. The later scheduling of the evening career fair will give students with jobs or classes during the day an opportunity to look at other options for employment and internships.

More than 55 employers have registered for the event, with strong representation from many industries including aerospace, insurance and banking. Companies including Starship Technologies, AFLAC and Wells Fargo will be searching for Mason students to bring their diverse talents with them after graduation.

a student’s background and communicating exactly what sort of job the applicant wants from the business. Students should also prepare questions to ask employers to learn more about potential career paths. These steps will ensure that students can have a productive experience and make the most of their time at the fair.

University Career Services recommends that Career Night attendees keep their job goals in mind and have a plan to take advantage of everything the event has to offer. The plan should include research of potential employers, dressing professionally, preparing a resume, and practicing a personal pitch.

Career Services also provides many resources for students to prepare for Career Night. Interested students can consult their staff members before attending the event, either by email or in person, at their office in SUB 1, room 3400. They also host preparation events such as resume clinics and practice interviews, which can make the career fair and job search experience more successful and less intimidating.

The personal pitch can make a good impression on recruiters by explaining

LIFESTYLE

10.23.2017

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

Photo courtesy of THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION

FUN COSTUME IDEAS THAT WILL GET PEOPLE TALKING ANGELIQUE ARINTOK STAFF WRITER

Photo courtesy of ANGELIQUE ARINTOK

even tone it down while still making a statement. While not as spooky, a costume that implements casual clothes like a blue t-shirt, sweatpants, and a TV remote is similarly simple suddenly, you’re Adam Sandler’s character from the comedy-drama “The Click”. Stretch your mind to think beyond the norm and transform into the most unconventional movie character—even if it is an inanimate object. TOO “PUNNY” TO PASS UP:

The big question arises every year leading up to Halloween: “what should I be?” The following ideas should spark some creativity, and land you the costume you desire this season. SAVE THE DAY AS A SUPERHERO: This option is timeless and fitting for almost any costume party. Whether it be Batman, Superman, Supergirl, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Spiderman, or Deadpool—the list of DC and Marvel Comics characters are endless. There’s surely one to suit you. These costumes are essentially fool-proof. Buy a character costume from Walmart or Party City and get ready to kick your hero-mindset into full gear.

Brainstorm some of your favorite phrases, and translate your thoughts into a “punny” party costume. A play on words and style never hurt anyone. GoodHousekeeping.com presents phrases, objects, and concepts like ‘Cereal Killers,’ ‘French Toast,’ ‘Formal Apology,’ and ‘Candy (W)rappers,’ to model into literal and attention-grabbing costumes. If you want to leave a lasting impression, a laugh from a “punny” costume brings both tears and joy to the party. A costume of this caliber is certainly worth the extra time, effort, and preparation. POLITICAL CULTURE: With politics more fiery than ever, past or present figures on Capitol Hill or the White House should not be strangers to some potential imitators. Whether it is to poke fun or embody your least-liked

UNCONVENTIONAL MOVIE CHARACTERS: Consider some of your current or cult-classic favorite movies and base a costume off of the most interesting character. You could even ditch the lead roles and think outside the box. Some characters may not be as distinctive, but could be an easy get-up to pull together in a pinch. Take for example, a white t-shirt and perhaps jazz it up with some red dye or fake cosmetic blood. With those two materials, you can swiftly transform into Wilson from the Tom Hanks film, “Cast Away”. You can

or most-loved political figures, their distinctive looks are easy to capture with the help of some formal attire. Easily turn into Senator Bernie Sanders with a pair of glasses, a suit, and a messy grayed-out do. Additionally, a classic pant suit, structured hair, and a pair of earrings can transform you into Hillary Clinton. If you like being the center of attention, don’t forget that even a donkey or an elephant costume can cause stirs and discussions amongst the party. GO GORY OR MAKE IT UP: You can choose to go gory from a scale of subtle to full zombie. YouTube has hundreds of easy-tofollow tutorials about special effects makeup that include liquid latex, spirit gum, and bruise wheels. Channels like Glam&Gore, as well as Karolina Maria are great sources for bloody inspiration. Other tutorials online also feature cheap alternatives that go handin-hand with our tight college budget. Items like bananas, flour, Vaseline, and old eyeshadow can substitute the cosmetic products necessary for that gory demeanor. A clown or doll look using makeup also cannot be forgotten. With movies like “Annabelle: Creation” and “IT” gaining buzz among teens & adults alike, makeup that emulates those chilling looks might win you a notable scare for the night. Hunting for a Halloween costume can be tough. No matter what you choose to be this season, dress and feel your best this festive time of the year.

THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION’S NEW CURATION OF RENOIR, MIMICS DC YOUTH LIFE “‘Luncheon of the Boating Party’ has remained its greatest treasure” LAURYN CANTRELL STAFF WRITER

The physical construction of Renoir’s “Luncheon of the Boating Party” draws a newer crowd to The Phillips Collection, who see a still life of themselves in one of the Impressionist artist’s most impressive works. In the gallery’s latest installation, Chief Curator Emerita Eliza Rathbone focuses on the underlying process by which Renoir created his masterwork, as well as the backstories of the artist’s colorful contemporaries, whose personal narratives parallel the diversity of today’s millennials in Washington. Since its acquirement in 1923 by founder Duncan Phillips, “Luncheon of the Boating Party” has served as a symbol of pride and continued research conducted by america’s first modern art museum. “The only painting by Renoir in the [permanent] collection, “Luncheon of the Boating Party” has remained its greatest treasure”, writes Phillips Director Dorothy Kosis. “Luncheon of the Boating Party” draws interest from a younger Washingtonian generation. For them, the painting is a mirror-image of their present rather than an old scene rendered on canvas. “This is a painting about young people. You are [Renoir’s friends] in the painting. It is a painting about being in the prime of life and extraordinary vitality” explains Rathbone. The painting celebrates the essence of youth culture in France’s Third

Photo courtesy of MEAGAN KENNEDY

Republic by highlighting thematic symbols of gaiety, leisure, and love. “It’s people doing the same things we do today. We identify with being with our friends, having lunch together by the water, dancing, parties…It’s a world of social interaction and pleasure painted by young people in love, meant for young people in love” describes Dr. Lisa Passaglia Bauman, Associate Professor of Art History at Mason. “Although it is deliberately a period piece, we certainly hope that it will draw young people and they will discover The Phillips and look at art on a human scale.” The experience of viewing “Luncheon of the Boating Party”, the central motif of a grander collection of over 40 different works by Renoir and his friends, assists millennials with a further exploration of art while strengthening their confidence to discover other worlds, says Bauman. “The art world is their world. You can have a life that is bigger than you think. Art is a fairly easy door to open in which a tiny bit of information can take you a long way, leading you to other places…” It may even lead one to an established masterpiece in the heart of Washington D.C. “Renoir and Friends: Luncheon on the Boating Party” is on view at The Phillips Collection through Jan. 7, 2018. For more information, tickets, and events related to the exhibition, visit www.phillipscollection.org.

LIFESTYLE

HIDDEN THEMES IN HAPPY DEATH DAY

The 30 year anniversary of The Princess Bride MICHAEL ABLER STAFF WRITER

On Sept. 25, 1987, audiences were introduced to a cult classic and one of the most enduring films of all time. The story of a farm boy finding true love with a princess and saving his girl from an evil Prince is heartfelt, if not also a charmingly goofy movie. ‘Princess Bride’ was adapted from the 1973 novel by William Goldman, which can be seen as parody of fairytale stories.

QUIANNA ADAMS STAFF WRITER

I was intrigued to watch this movie after seeing the preview numerous times and hearing 50 Cent’s “In Da Club” song in the background. I also noticed that the producers of this film were responsible for popular movies such as “The Purge” and “Get Out” - both films I enjoyed. I knew that this film had to have an underlying meaning and it wasn’t just a simple murder mystery film. Throughout the movie I began to sense familiar themes. The themes that I recognized are ones that we have all heard at some point in our lives. Patience Is Key Happy Death Day was produced on a budget of $5 million and it received $26.5 million during its debut weekend. It is a microbudget film from Blumhouse Productions, the production company that brought us “Split,” “The Visit,” “Paranormal Activity,” and “Insidious.” Nearly nine years ago, a script was presented to the director of this movie, Christopher Landon, and he loved the concept. He made adjustments and sent the final draft to Hollywood producers. The script was shut down and never looked at again until last year. After casually being asked about the script over a lunch date, Landon thought of an old friend, Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions, and sent him the script. Blum and his associates loved the concept of this film, and so did Universal Pictures. The theme that I connected with this situation was patience. It is important to see that no matter where you are in life, it takes time for things to come into fruition. Nothing happens overnight, it might take ten years for you to accomplish a goal, but having perseverance

can take you a long way. You Get what You Give Most people believe that what goes around comes around. The energy that you exude will be the same energy that you receive back from the universe. While watching the movie, I noticed that the main character, Tr e e , was self-centered and rude to many of the other characters. She became FOURTH ESTATE/BILLY FERGUSON The theme that I connected to this paranoid after learning that her killer was someone scenario was ‘be true to yourself ’. You that she knew. In that moment she should not have to change your beliefs, realized how badly she treated others values, and attitude in a negative way without regard for their feelings. At to be a part of any group. Having a one point in the film, I did not feel different perspective and personality empathy for Tree, but toward the end is what makes us all unique. No one of the film, I noticed her growth and should befriend a person who tries to compromise their authentic self. recognition of her distasteful ways. The theme that I noticed here was ‘what goes around comes around’. The lesson is simple: treat others how you would like to be treated in return not only because it’s a good thing to do, but also because you never know who you might need assistance from in the future. Stay True To Yourself Tree was a college student and also a member of a sorority. As mentioned above, Tree was very self-centered and snobbish in the beginning, but as the movie continued she began to realize that she was no longer her real self. She became a new person after joining the sorority and recognized that if her mother was still alive today she would not be happy with the person that Tree had become. Tree began to correct her mistakes during her final days and became more accepting of others that she did not normally socialize with.

INCONCEIVABLE: 30 YEARS OF ‘THE PRINCESS BRIDE’

The movie Happy Death Day has some hidden, inspiring themes to teach the audience

“Happy Death Day” is a horror-comedy that premiered at the top spot of the box office this past weekend. It is about a college co-ed who relives her “death day” until she discovers her murderer’s identity. The movie offers thrill and suspense to keep the viewer engaged throughout the film, but just enough comedy to make it stand out from the average ‘scary’ movie.

10.23.2017

YOLO A recurring phrase that I noticed in the movie was “today is the first day of the rest of your life.” Each time Tree was killed, she was granted a fresh start to be a better person and ultimately find her killer. Unlike Tree, we do not have multiple chances to relive the same day and correct our mistakes. We get one day to do our best and if we happen to make a mistake, we have to believe that we will use the next day to make up for that mistake. It is important for us to take advantage of each day by being our authentic selves, being nice to others, and by having confidence and patience in our present actions and goals.

The movie plays out that way as well, the central strength of this movie is the quirky sense of humor and usage of slapstick. While there is some physical comedy, most of the jokes from this movie come from the dialogue between the characters. Every character, even the villain, is a bit goofy yet also diabolical at the same time. An example of this comedic writing is when three criminals kidnap the Princess. There’s a bit of silly chatter going on between two of the henchmen that eventually causes their leader, Vizzini, to lose his temper and scream at them. This works because we wouldn’t expect these guys to be lighthearted and goofy - it’s just such a strange thing to do when you’re about to go on the run. Another scene that showcases this is when one of the henchmen, Inigo Montoya, confronts the ‘Man in Black’ and tells him that he’s only helping him to get to the top of a cliff in order to kill him. When the man is made aware of

this, he simply quips, “that does put a damper on our relationship.” It’s little scenes like this that help the film create its own unique style and feel. The absolute best aspect of the movie is that initially the audience thinks it’s going to be a sappy love story. However, it balances the fairytale love story with swashbuckling action and adventure. It knows that there is more that can be done with this setup for a sweet and funny parody of fairytales. But it ingeniously plays with your expectations at first before the film shifts the tone very naturally. Many people seem to forget that comedy isn’t always about doing something crazy or over the top although there moments like that in the movie - and that just funny ideas or goofy dialogue can be more effective and subtle. Like any film with a cult following, ‘Princess Bride’ fans don’t just enjoy this movie, they cherish it. “The movie has memorable characters, quotes, and it also succeeds in building its own unique world,” says Mason junior Nathalie Nguyen. Nguyen feels that the movie is already a timeless classic and is enjoyed because it speaks to all ages. “I have never seen a movie hit four categories so beautifully - comedy, romance, thriller, and adventure. The movie simply has everything.”

FOURTH ESTATE/MARY JANE DECARLO

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

10.23.2017

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

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.

Photo by Amy Rose

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

Join the Conversation:

WGMU

@WGMU

@wgmuradio

RadioFlag Mobile App

q Request

Line!

PHONE: (703) 993-WGMU

LISTEN LIVE:

EMAIL: mdotson@gmu.edu

www.WGMUradio.com

LIFESTYLE

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

10.23.2017

FACES OF MASON delves into the lives of Mason students, faculty, alumni, and organizations every week. This week we take a close look at Mason student Henry Munoz, SCAR Professor Sarah Rose-Jensen and the Afghan Student Union (ASU). If you know of a Mason student, faculty member, alumnus or alumna, or organization that would like to be featured on FACES OF MASON please submit your request via: https://goo.gl/HZ4SMd INTERVIEWS BY BASMA HUMADI

O R G A N I Z AT I O N Afghan Student Union (ASU): Answers by ASU President Nilab Osmani and Vice President Awista Baluch: Nilab: Q: Why is being Afghan and celebrating that important?

Photo courtesy of HENRY MUNOZ

We believe it is very important for people to be in touch with their background and heritage. It is a huge part of one’s identity and is something that affects every aspect of our lives. ASU serves as a great platform for people who want to know more about their heritage and want to celebrate it through our various cultural events. It also provides a great sense of community for both Afghans and non-Afghans here at Mason. Awista: Henr y Munoz, student, junior, Communications Major with a concentration in Public Relations

Q: What is ASU, what does it do, and why is that important? ASU is a GMU body dedicated to an understanding and appreciation for the

Q: What was your major? What’s your biggest goal right now? I’m a Communication major with a concentration in Public Relations and one of my biggest goals is to one day own my own luxury brand. Q: What sparked your interest in wanting to create one? Well, basically I have always had a fascination with designer fashion. It’s so much fun. I love designing clothes that I can imagine will one day appear on my runway. My dream is to have my own brand. My own boutiques. I want my designs to be worn by artists on the red carpet and be desired by everyone else.

Photo courtesy of AFGHAN STUDENT UNION (ASU)

FA C U LT Y / A L U M

Afghan-American diaspora. We share a similar value in the acceptance and comprehension of one’s root identity. This may relate to many ethnic minority groups on campus, which is the reason for our diverse body, consisting of Afghans and non-Afghans alike.

Photo courtesy of SARAH ROSE-JENSEN

STUDENT

Q: What does being Afghan mean to you? Being Afghan is something special because it can mean something different for each person. For some it’s all about the centuries-old culture filled with beautiful clothing, history, and poems. To others it can also be about the food, respect and honor. Being Afghan to me means being a part of a loving community, the strong family bonds, and our mannerisms. Afghanistan itself is a huge melting pot and has so many different tribes that add their own interpretation of being Afghan. That’s the beautiful part of being Afghan - that there are so many things that make you Afghan.

SCAR Professor, Sarah Rose-Jensen:

Q: What’s your favorite place in the entire world?

Q: What do you do, and how long have you been doing it?

Koh Kong province, Cambodia is one of my favorite places in the world. In a few hours one can go from the jungle, where I’ve seen signs of elephants passing and heard gibbons, to mangrove forests, to a beautiful tropical beach on the Gulf of Thailand. And for two years, I was able to spend at least one week a month there!

I’m currently a lecturer in the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, teaching techniques and practices of conflict resolution. I am also finishing my PhD in SCAR. I spent nearly two years in Cambodia doing ethnographic research on forced evictions for my PhD, supported by a Fulbright award. I worked in two different communities, one in the capital city, Phnom Penh, and one in a small village in the southwest. Village life was especially interesting I stayed with a local family and they welcomed me as a member of their family. But everything was new at first, from the way you have to bathe - from a well on the edge of a field, wearing a sarong because the kids and the water buffalo were watching - to cultural and gender norms that differ not just from the west but even from other parts of Cambodia.

Q: Who’s your biggest role model? In terms of role models, I’m not certain I could pick just one - I’ve met and worked with some amazing people, especially the women I work with in Cambodia. Their ability to be activists and advocates for their communities while still managing their paid work and their family responsibilities is really inspiring. I wonder what effect it will have on their kids, because they bring their small children with them to meetings and protests and they don’t really draw a line between their family life and their activism - it’s all the same to them.

OPINIONS

10.23.2017

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

Opinions do not reﬂect the views of Fourth Estate. Submit opinions to frehman3@gmu.edu

CULTURE-BASED HALLOWEEN COSTUMES Where Should You Draw the Line? PARESHA KHAN COLUMNIST

Halloween has become a controversial holiday in which creativity can flow into a grey area of discrimination and offense. Halloween costumes should not be inspired from actual cultures. Although it is understandable that people just want to have fun with their costumes, sometimes they fail to realize that they might unintentionally perpetuate offensive stereotypes of other cultures and religions. This reinforces harmful stigmas, making it more difficult for these cultures to avoid ridicule, to avoid racism, and to be accepted. Cultural organizations on campus have shared their opinions about cultural appropriation during Halloween. “I think dressing up as other cultures shouldn’t be done, just because you don’t know who you’re offending,” Pakistani Student Association member Aneela Choudhry said. “If you’re trying to represent other religions, I feel like you’re trying to be someone and act like them but that’s their actual daily life.” Religion is something that people work hard to maintain every single day.

When someone wears another person’s religious apparel just for laughs during Halloween, they’re actually belittling that spiritual sentiment. Dressing up as a minority may not seem like a big deal, but in reality, those people are forced to deal with harsh comments on a daily basis. “I just think it’s a sense of morality, like you have the right to do what you want to do but if you think thatdressing up as other cultures is right, then you’re just disrespectful,” Black Student Alliance member Breyanna Woods said. Black stereotypes are emphasized profusely during Halloween. Blackface, a form of theatrical makeup used by non-black performers to represent a black person, began in the 1820s and has been prominent in American theater for more than 100 years. According to a YouGov poll conducted in 2015, 52 percent of white people believe that blackface is acceptable during Halloween. So if all lives really matter, why is it okay for Black lives to be flaunted as costumes? “You’ll be surprised how blackface is even common in today’s society. I think it’s absolutely offensive because

it is the mockery of someone’s natural complexion,” President of African and African American Historical and Cultural Society Brianna Russell said. “White people have associated Africans and their descendants as being inferior and called them savages and unintelligent. The blackface performances represented the ‘inferior’ stereotype.”

faced sexual violence.

disrespectful no matter the reason.

Dressing up as a Native American has been a popular but offensive costume choice. Women have been dressing up as Native Americans because the outfits give off a sex appeal that adds to the broad and dangerous misrepresentations of Native Americans already prevalent in our society.

It is wrong to perpetuate a sexy Native American stereotype when so many Native women disproportionately face violence.

“It’s especially wrong to dress up as Native Americans because they don’t have many rights. So when you’re pretending to be them, you don’t understand how many struggles they go through on a daily basis,” Choudhry said.

“A lot of little girls look up to [Pocahontas] whether or not they’re Native American or if their culture aligns with her,” Filipino Association member Natalie Ledesma said. “If I’m going to talk about Mulan, who’s Chinese, a lot of little girls want to dress up as her because she’s a warrior and she’s a princess so they look up to her and are inspired.”

“When people try to dress up like Frida Kahlo with the unibrows and everything, you know they’d make fun of someone if they did it in real life. I think if people really want to dress up as people of color, then they need to be ready to take the struggles and the racist comments that they experience everyday,” Choudhry said.

According to the National Institute of Justice, more than four out of five American Indian and Alaska Native women have faced violence in their lifetime, with 56.1 percent having

WHITE PRIVILEGE FOR A BROWN MAN JOSE MENDEZ CONTRIBUTOR

I am a Mexican-American named Jose, I work a low-wage job, and I come from a family of illegal immigrants. Picture me in your mind for a second. What do you see? Is it a short, dark-skinned man who speaks broken English? That description might fit someone you do know, but it does not fit me. I am White. Sociologists have determined that race is a social construct and has no biological meaning, but race is an integral part of our society. Being a Mexican man in white skin has given me a unique and dark perspective on how one is viewed based solely on skin color. Since I was young I have been called Powder, Casper, and güero (meaning ‘white-boy’ in Spanish). The nicknames were always said in jest but the teasing let me know I looked different from what I was ‘supposed’ to look like. I remember wishing I looked like all the other Hispanic kids but knowing what I know now, I am glad wishes aren’t granted by men in magic

lamps. Being ‘White’ has afforded me a privilege that my friends of color have not had: the benefit of the doubt. While taking my time at the convenience store I am never followed or harassed. I have never thought twice about the polite smiles I receive. When getting pulled over by the police, I have never been assumed to be suspicious. And I have never felt I had to put on a persona when going in for an interview or speaking to a superior.

FOURTH ESTATE/MARY JANE DECARLO

The same cannot be said for my Black and Hispanic friends. They are constantly offered ‘help’ when shopping. They notice the courteous smiles I receive when passing someone and it is rare this happens to

‘LEAN ON’ MUSIC VIDEO STILL

them. And although my friends and I speak the same dialect, I have never felt the need to change it. My friends tell me about the ‘White voice’ they use in professional settings. But sometimes this treatment is more extreme.

However, some may think it’s okay to dress up as Pocahontas because she is a character.

However, Choudhry believes that dressing up as an ethnic person is One friend was admiring window tint and it became a police stop for ‘staring down the officer.’ Another friend was taken into custody for a miniscule amount of marijuana while I was caught red-handed with a much more sizable quantity and let off with a warning, but only after some jokes were shared. Michelle Alexander’s “The New Jim Crow” mentions a study showing that minorities accounted for 80 percent of vehicles searched even though they only accounted for 21 percent of drivers. These differences in treatment and perception create different realities based solely on skin color. When I ask my friends about the differential treatment, they do not seem phased, while I would be livid. They understand the differences in how people are seen and while it angers

So, before immediately choosing a costume that seems cute or in style, it is very important to be considerate, especially when coming across an outfit that represents another culture. “People should choose carefully what they want to be and if they want to be something controversial, then they should consider their actions when they play the part during Halloween,” Ledesma said. them, they also know that this is just how the world works. We all recognize skin color and an instant impression about a person is made in our minds. The Implicit Association Test (IAT) shows us these snap judgements in startling fashion. Results from taking a race-based IAT prove that associating Black faces with positive words (e.g. wonderful, glorious) takes longer than associating Black faces with negative words (e.g. hurt, evil). This conditioning is ingrained in all of us. Most people will describe a criminal as Black, due to skewed media coverage, and a CEO as White (a study by Richard Zweigenhaft on corporate diversity showed 74 percent of CEOs were White in 2013), and while this is embarrassing, it is also true. Most would agree we would never discriminate against anybody, but we cannot control our subconscious. These biases have real world implications and make the difference between a warning from a police officer and a criminal record. These are dark truths we all live and it is time to shine a light into the shadows.

OPINIONS

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

10.23.2017

Opinions do not reﬂect the views of Fourth Estate. Submit opinions to frehman3@gmu.edu

SUBSTANCE ABUSE RECOVERY HOUSING AT MASON: A CHANCE FOR “INNOVATION” KAELYN VITALE ROOSEVELT AT MASON

Republican Delegate Jason Mirayes introduced a rather progressive bill proposing a way to combat opioid exposure and usage. HB 1447 requires public universities with a minimum of 25 percent on-campus undergraduate students to: “provide a supportive substance-free dormitory environment that recognizes the unique risks and challenges that recovering students face.” While the bill, should it pass, does not require schools to comply until 2021, Mason should work to open such a dormitory in the immediate future. From an academic standpoint, students who abuse alcohol and drugs have a higher dropout rate and lower grades. Creating a space where students can limit their exposure with students of similar experiences will ensure their own academic integrity, thereby raising that of the Mason community.

has a problem, it’s recognizing that our nation has a problem and Mason is forward-thinking enough to address it,” said Ginny Lovitt, Executive Director of The Chris Atwood Foundation, a nonprofit that helped start the Patriots for Recovery community at Mason. Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC) and Patriots for Recovery would be key allies in this proposal. Stakeholders include Mason Housing, Mason Police, and University Life as well as the entire Mason community of students and families. “A supportive community is key to a person in recovery. A safe space would positively contribute to the lives of students in recovery and SSAC looks forward to working alongside students on what that can look like at Mason,” said Kathryn Walker, the Assistant Director of SSAC.

From a monetary view, such housing would not be an additional cost to the community since student housing is revenue generated by those who elect to live on campus.

However, salaries will need to be paid for licenses, professional counselors, and other training services and materials. Outside funds like Center for Substance Abuse Prevention and Association of Recovery in Higher Education could be one way to defray such costs, if the Mason Community does not want to support the initiative through its own wallet.

“Providing housing for college students in recovery isn’t admitting that Mason

A housing community dedicated to recovering substance abusers, for the

time being, could follow a similar setup to the various Mason LLC’s currently centered in the Commons.

A message from the Student Support and Advocacy Center

Ideally, following the West Campus expansion where the new housing district, Innovation, will be “linked to wellness,” the program could have a hall that is uniquely designed to address challenges these students may face.

Alongside students, SSAC’s goal is to continue to build a collegiate recovery community – a fun, safe and supportive college experience for students in recovery – through raising awareness, providing support and building relationships. SSAC understands that a supportive community is essential to recovery. We aim to help connect students in recovery from a substance use disorder to resources and one another.

Virginia schools are no stranger to such programing. University of Virginia offers Virginia Hoos in Recovery, Washingtonian Recovery Community began in 2014 at Washington and Lee University, and Virginia Commonwealth University is expanding their Recovery Clubhouse from a study/hang out area to a living space. Twelve institutions are estimated to meet the qualification of having 25 percent of undergraduate students living on campus laid out in HB 1447, including Mason. Open communication with Washington and Lee University and University of Virginia would help staff plan how to create and maintain such a program and recruit participants. Mason prides itself on innovation. Innovation shouldn’t wait for a law to pass to start thinking about how it can better help its students and state.

SSAC received a grant from Transforming Youth Recovery (TYR), a Nevada-based non-profit, which helped us launch our recovery initiative. With that grant, SSAC began building relationships, offering support and raising awareness about the beauty of recovery and the hurdles that students in recovery can face on a college campus. Patriots for Recovery (formerly ARMS) meetings are open to Mason students who are in recovery from a substance use disorder, support recovery, or want to know more about recovery. Meetings are every first and third Thursday of the month at 3:00pm in SSAC (SUB I, 3200).

House Bill 1447 proposed by Delegate Jason Mirayes (R) “By July 1, 2021, each baccalaureate public institution of higher education at which at least 25 percent of the undergraduate student population lives in on-campus housing shall establish a substance abuse recovery housing program. Such program shall “provide a supportive substance-free dormitory environment that recognizes the unique risks and challenges that recovering students face. The program shall provide support services, including on-site counseling, mentoring, peer support, and other appropriate services.” Participating institutions may designate a floor, wing, or other designated area within a dormitory building for the substance abuse recovery housing program and shall not be required to designate an entire dormitory building for the program.”

Photo courtesy of ALEXIS GLENN/MASON CREATIVE SEVICES

Since 2015, opioids have killed more people than car crashes or gun violence in Virginia, according to a report by the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

10.23.2017

ETC.

Recipe of the Week

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

Obtained from Delish.com Apple Cider Floats Ingredients: 1/2 c. caramel sauce 1/2 c. cinnamon-sugar 2 c. apple cider, warmed Vanilla ice cream, for serving

LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE

cinnamon sticks Whipped cream, for serving Apple slices

1. Pour caramel in a small dish. Dip the top of each mug in the caramel to rim the cup. Then dip the caramel rim in cinnamon-sugar. 2. Ladle apple cider into each mug then add a scoop of ice cream to each. Top with whipped cream and garnish with apple slices and cinnamon stick. 3. Drizzle more caramel over the whipped cream and serve immediately.

LAST WEEK’S GO FIGURE!

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

ETC.

LAST WEEK’S MAGIC MAZE

LAST WEEK’S SUDOKU

10.23.2017

COMICS FOURTH ESTATE/BILLY FERGUSON

KEVIN PEARCE

Former Pro Snowboarder who sustained a traumatic brain injury, now an advocate for brain health.

OCT

INVOLVED!

George orge Mason Univers University Communication Forum

Tuesday, October 24, 2017 Location: HUB Ballroom Doors open at 8:45 a.m. Event begins at 9:30 a.m.

For disability-related accommodations, contact 703.993.2474 or ods@gmu.edu. ASL Interpreter will be provided.

OF STUDENT MEDIA is one of the most

olved at Mason! We are the voice of the student body

OCTOBER 25

ent in print, online, and over the air on our studentatforms. Whether you have your sights set on a career hotos as aHUB hobby,BALLROOM we are always looking for talented mic team.

Keynote address from MSNBC's Chris Matthews Panelist discussion Speed-mentoring session

5:30pm-7:30pm: Documentary Viewing (Pizza provided) 7:30pm-8:15pm: Remarks from Kevin 8:15pm-8:45pm: Q&A

Presented by Disability Services in partnership with the Ofﬁce of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education, Student Media, Student Involvement and Counseling and Psychological Services

RSVP: communication.gmu.edu/events/7000 Volition Fall Content Deadline Friday, November 3rd

The George Mason Content Deadline

Review

February 2018 Senior Portraits November 7-9th | JC Atrium Volition Open Mic Night Friday, November 10th | 7:00-10:00pm JC Bistro Happy Birthday, George! Friday, December 8th | 12:00-2:00pm Patriot’s Lounge (SUB I)

Hispanic Culture Review Content Deadline February 2018

LEARN MORE ABOUT STUDENT MEDIA ON STUDENTMEDIA.GMU.EDU