October 28, 2019
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWSPAPER
Volume 7 Issue 7
FOURTH ESTATE Mason men’s soccer player, Gilian Buijk, talks about his golden goal
@ivestate | gmufourthestate.com
COMM CAREER FORUM (P. 3) || REMEMBERING THE NATIONALS (P. 6) || RAGS PERFORMANCE (P. 12) || OPINIONS: A MASON FOOTBALL TEAM (P.14) Fourth Estate is a free publication, limit one copy per person. Additional copies are 25 cents payable to the Office of Student Media.
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10.28.2019
FOURTH ESTATE
GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE
DANA NICKEL HAILEY BULLIS Co Editor-in-Chief
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
ALEXANDRIA MCALPINE Art Director
Hey Patriots,
LAURA SCUDDER DELANEY HARRISON Copy Editors
Nice to see ya again. I hope you survived your midterms and had a great two weeks since our last issue. I know our staff enjoyed the two weeks off, but we’re excited to be back in production and bringing you new content again. Read the Culture section for a preview of the Mason Player’s fall performance of the musical “Rags.” In our News section, read about the College of Health and Human Services’ new on-campus Population Health Center. Sports spoke with Mason men’s soccer senior Gilian Buijk about his decision to come to Mason. Our Opinion writers talked about why Mason doesn’t need an official Division 1 football team and the lack of coverage of women’s major league sports. In other news, Mason’s pep band the Green Machine played at Game 5 of the World Series on Sunday. Check out the story online on our website and social media. In spookier news, Halloween is this week. I personally love the atmosphere of haunted trails and pumpkin patches that I’m sure many of us have already visited in the past two weeks. But if you haven’t been able to spare a night yet to visit either, I hope you take some time this week to do so. Make the trip to Cox Farms’ Fields of Fear or Kings Dominion’s Halloween Haunt. If you’re strapped for cash consider visiting the Haunted Laurianne Woods on Halloween, where admission is free (though they do ask you bring non-perishable food items to donate to the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry). It’s honestly a pretty amazing haunted trail for being located in the suburbs. After all, Halloween only comes around once a year before we have to wait a whole 365 days for it to come around again.
ABIGAIL ADCOX News Editor JACK HARVEY Assistant News Editor PETER NJOROGE Culture Editor IZZ LAMAGDELEINE Assistant Culture Editor NATALIE HEAVREN Sports Editor DOMENIC ALLEGRA Assistant Sports Editor CHRIS KERNAN-SCHMIDT Opinions Editor BILLY FERGUSON Online Director LEXI REYES Social Media Editor DOMINIQUE BERNARDINO Multimedia Editor EMMETT SMITH Distribution Manager
Have a spine-chilling week Patriots,
KATHRYN MANGUS Director
Hailey Bullis Co Editor-in-Chief
DAVID CARROLL Associate Director JASON HARTSEL Assistant Director
We are always recruiting volunteers for: - WRITERS - VIDEOGRAPHERS - ILLUSTRATORS - PHOTOGRAPHERS
For all inquiries, please email: masonfourthestate@gmail.com
COVER PHOTO CREDITS Mason Athletics / Photo Courtesy George Mason University Mail stop 2C5 4400 University Drive Fairfax, Va. 22030 Phone 703-993-2950
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 Co Editor-in-Chiefs 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.
Ghost Graphic Alexandria McAlpine / Fourth Estate
NEWS
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10.28.2019
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COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENTS CAREER FORUM
Mason’s Communication department hosts 9th annual networking event ALEXA TIRONI STAFF WRITER
department spoke on the importance of events like these.
The 9th Annual Communication Career Forum offered students an opportunity to network with career professionals within the communication field. The forum was hosted on Tuesday, Oct. 22 by Mason’s Communication department.
“A lot of the time students don’t know where to go to find information about future careers or internships, or what it looks like to have a [communication] degree afterwards. They know
When asked about the benefits of small group mentoring, Tucker affirmed that,“You can get one on one personalization from the individual you are talking to, because they have stories and if they just have a planned list — a speech of things they are going to
cards to promote themselves for future events similar to this one. “This is all about self-marketing and self-branding and getting your name out there for networking,” Tucker said. Sophomore communication major
The event featured roundtables with over 20 professionals spanning across multiple disciplines, including corporate communication, media production, journalism, marketing and public relations.
Students spent a few minutes at each table, getting the chance to ask questions and learn about possible career paths before moving onto another mentor’s table. Dr. Megan Tucker, the BA program director of the Communication
Abigail Howard, a communication major with a concentration in journalism, expressed her excitement for the mentoring sessions. “I’m excited to be able to talk to professionals and see where they come from, and how they got to where they are, and build from that, and lean on that with my schoolwork.” The keynote address was given by Rana Novak, a Global Policy Center affiliate at UVA and Syrian American advocate for refugees and civilians, as well as an employee of International Business Machines Corporation (IBM).
PHOTO COURTESY OF SALMA HAMZE
Students were given the chance to speak in small groups from each concentration through mentoring round table sessions led by professionals representing organizations such as CBS Channel 9, NBC News, Washington Nationals, Mars Candy and Booz Allen Hamilton. Spaces at each table were limited and filled by students on a first-come first-serve basis.
hopefully I will get some connections from this and at least meet other [communication] students,” said Barrett.
At the forum, Novak spoke about her work within IBM as well as her strong advocacy for the Syrian refugee crisis. Overall, Novak advocated for the use of communication as a voice for those without one to students.
what they’re studying and what their concentrations are but not necessarily how that translates into a career or a job,” said Tucker.
say — you can’t really ask questions.” Tucker also added that this event is good experience for interviews. She suggested that students bring business
Isabelle Barrett decided to attend the career forum after hearing about it from her professors. “Since I am eventually going to become a professional in the field of communication,
Describing what students might do with their own platform in the communication field, Novak said,“You’re going to be defined by the kind of person you are.”
LAST WEEK IN THE NEWS Monday, Oct. 21
Tuesday, Oct. 22
Facebook takedowns show new Russian activity targeting Biden, praising Trump.
U.S. envoy says he was told Trump wanted Ukraine aid to investigate Biden.
British House of Commons Speaker John Bercow denies Boris Johnson vote on Brexit.
Forty-six attorneys general have joined New York-led antitrust investigation into Facebook, according to The Washington Post.
U.S. reduces its troop strength by 2,000 in Afghanistan, according to Gen. Austin “Scott” Miller. Netanyahu announces he cannot form a government, opening the door for Israeli president to build a coalition.
Colorado mother who sought donations for 7-yearold daughter’s terminal illness accused of her murder. Justin Trudeau’s party keeps control of Canadian government.
Wednesday, Oct. 23
Thursday, Oct. 24
Trump says U.S. will lift sanctions on Turkey.
Rep. Tim Ryan drops out of 2020 presidential race.
British Parliament denies Boris Johnson support for fast-tracked Brexit deal.
Houston Astros Assistant General Manager Brandon Taubman fired after being accused of accosting several female journalists.
British police launch murder investigation after 39 bodies found in truck. Anonymous author of Trump “resistance” op-ed to publish a tell-all book.
Federal judge holds Betsy DeVos in contempt in loan case, imposes $100,000 fine. Trump announces he will attend Game 5 of the World Series, if played.
Friday, Oct. 25 Department of Transportation suspends most commercial flights to nine destinations in Cuba. Maria Butina, the first Russian citizen to be convicted of crimes related to the 2016 election, released from prison and is expected to be deported. Eight people killed in shooting at a military base in Siberia, according to Russia’s top law enforcement agency. U.S. deficit hit $984 billion in 2019.
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NEWS
10.28.2019
GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE
A CHANGING ARCTIC
Mason team receives grant to study Arctic industrialization conditions APRIL HORENCY STAFF WRITER
To combat potential conflicts, Volgenau School of Engineering professor Elise Miller-Hooks and her team of scientists will be studying Arctic industrialization over the next five years. This is thanks to a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation for their project titled, “An Expanding Global Maritime Network, Its Arctic Impacts and Reverberations.” Miller-Hooks’ team is comprised of fellow Mason professors Sara Cobb and Celso Ferreira, as well as Thomas Ravens of the University of AlaskaAnchorage, Anne Garland of Applied Research in Environmental Sciences, Jinlun Zhang of the University of Washington, and Capt. Ralph Pundt
of the Maine Maritime Academy.
and social systems,” said Miller-Hooks.
Each person on the team serves a role in one of the key areas of the project. The five key areas are maritime flows, ice conditions, coastal dynamics, local communities and governance. To MillerHooks this multidisciplinary approach is required for their research.
The impacts and reverberations of Arctic industrialization have the potential to evolve into conflicts. Conflicts may arise because of increased shipping, resource use, navigation, migration/relocation of people, increased tourism and erosion. FOURTH ESTATE BILLY FERGUSON
New trade routes are opening throughout the Arctic, which may have unprecedented effects on that environment.
“This work requires a convergence research approach to enable deep understanding of complex interactions of natural, built
They will be utilizing mathematical modeling, geophysical computation and social systems knowledge in the project to serve their goals. Their main goals are to forecast the thickness of sea ice
and other coastal dynamics and to assess and manage risks from increased maritime polar traffic. With the mathematical modeling and geophysical computation, the project predicts that they will see as the climate changes the sea ice diminish at a faster rate than ever. Melting permafrost on the coast could also decrease resistance to storms, affecting the surrounding community. Ferriera, associate professor in the Sid and Reva Dewberry Department of Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering (CEIE) at Mason, said, “We’re really at the forefront of this issue because we don’t know much about it. As the geopolitical west moves into this area, we’re going to try to transfer our knowledge from previous studies to this project.”
RESIDENT DINING AND PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION TOWN HALL
Administration answers students’ questions about parking, dining and scooters
FOURTH ESTATE BALEXANDRIA MCALPINE
JACK HARVEY ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
Mason Housing and Residence Life hosted a town hall with administrative staff from Mason Dining, Auxiliary Enterprises, and Parking and Transportation on Wednesday, Oct. 23. Topics ranged from the price and expansion of Mason’s parking infrastructure to the logistics of restructuring Mason’s dining halls based on user feedback. Josh Cantor, the director of parking
and transportation, began by describing the concerns that accompany expanding parking at Mason. “On average, space costs about $20,000 a [parking] space, so Rappahannock Deck for instance was a 42 million dollar project,” he said. Cantor stated that “we have [the possibility of funding] on the books potentially for a 1,000 space garage for about 35 million dollars.”
“If we build more parking the price of parking is gonna go up so we have to factor [that] in ... the goal has always been to maximize the amount of parking we have before we build more parking,” Cantor continued. Cantor indicated that the possibility of expanding Mason’s parking will be determined in part by decisions made by Mason’s administration, noting a coming expansion of the Sci-Tech campus. He denied claims that parking overcrowding was an issue, however, explaining that claims of lack of parking often come down to the fact that where parking is available is different from where people want to park. “We control each permit area … We had one student today [who] wanted parking in Lot A. Lot A fills like clockwork by 9 a.m. We had 300 spaces in Lot K, [the student] didn’t want to go to Lot K.” Cantor indicated that Parking and
Transportation are looking at limited expansion in the near future, stating, “We are looking at plans to potentially build some limited surface lot parking, so we’re working with the state on that, so there may be a couple hundred spaces that we’re able to build of surface parking while we look at future plans for garages.” Cantor then addressed the increase of the use of rental scooters around Fairfax and their impact on campus. “We’ve been working on this for about six months … we’ve been working with the vendors in the City of Fairfax … we’re going to have scooter corral parking areas, there’s going to be new policies going forward regulating where scooters and bikes can be, so we’re in the final touches and hoping to nail down those agreements. We’ll have a pilot project that will go through sometime next May.” When asked about whether there will be enforcement of scooter policy,
Cantor stated “Yes and no … really, they shouldn’t [currently] be on campus at all … there’s actually a process where we can impound the scooters if they aren’t picked up after a certain amount of time.” Lucian Weavil of Mason Dining then spoke about the rationale for changes made to dining halls this semester and misconceptions people have about food availability. “People say, ‘Why did you change that?’ Well, this is the leadership of dining. We are on the streets, in the halls, in retail, every single day. Our offices are at the bottom of Southside. We regularly invite like, anyone, approach [to] us, give us feedback, ask us questions; we give personal tours,” Weavil said. He continued, ”Someone is saying ‘That’s not in the dining room, I can’t find it’ — the first thing I’m going to do is I’m going to invite you to walk with me.”
NEWS
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10.28.2019
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EXPANDING HEALTH INNOVATION AT THE POPULATION HEALTH CENTER CHHS opens the center to expand research and clinical care SUDIKSHA KOCHI STAFF WRITER
The Population Health Center opened its doors on Friday, Oct. 18. The center will be used for clinical care and as the newest research facility for the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS).
cohort study where people have volunteered to participate in the study and be followed for four years.” Cuellar continued, “They come to this center where they get their physical,
With the clinical space and laboratories available at the center, study coordinators and experienced professionals will be able to launch research projects in the future from this site.
adapt to studies where the visit is with somebody remotely. So, somebody on the remote end has some basic equipment but our nurse practitioners and social workers here can examine the individual from afar. That really
public health closer to students and to showcase what public health looks like. Some reasons that students would come to the Population Health Center are if they are participating in any one of the center’s faculty-led studies or to be a part of community partnerships on research. There are also educational events held in the center that allow CHHS students to learn and explore more into their field outside of their curriculum.
According to Allison Cuellar, professor of health and administration policy, this clinical care and research center is a location meant for collaborating with community partners, conducting workforce training and providing a new place to pursue the regular academic mission set by the college.
Along with clinical services, research projects led by faculty also take place at the Population Health Center. “We are currently running the Health Starts Here study. It is a freshman
MASON WEEKLY CRIME LOG
PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHELLE THOMPSON
“We run free clinics led by nurse practitioners and so this is our tenth Mason in [and] Partners Free Clinic site. We provide services in this center regarding women’s health and immunization and physicals, which we do for some of the school’s systems,” said Cuellar. “Kids must have their physicals before they enroll, so we want to help promote getting them into schools and so we provide that service in collaboration with the school system.” have their blood drawn, we collect their saliva and we do a bone density scan and body composition assessment. We are studying the effect of college on the health of college students.”
CHHS typically focuses on the areas of nutrition, social work and community health when creating a study or launching a long-term research project. “We are tele-enabled, so we can also
This center was proposed by CHHS Dean Germaine Louis, who argued that the center would bring research of
Students can also participate in a project or practicum where they carve out a problem they want to tackle regarding nutrition, social work, or community health. The goal for this project is to not only get experience but also to serve the community in a health-related way. “The main goal of the Population Health Center is to make health visible. That is our tagline,” Cuellar said.
Thursday, Oct. 24 — Truman Hall
Thursday, Oct. 24 — Fairfax Campus
Drug Law Violations: Two Subjects (GMU) were referred to the Office of Student
Stalking: Complainant (GMU) reported receiving unwanted contact from a known subject (Non-GMU) on multiple occasions.
Conduct (OSC) for possessing illegal drugs.
Case 2019-0010512 — Referred to Title IX
Case 2019-010531 — Referred to OSC
Thursday, Oct. 24 — Fairfax Campus
Wednesday, Oct. 23 — Aquia Building
Hit and Run: Complainant (GMU) reported a hit and run of a vehicle.
Simple Assault: Complainant (GMU) reported receiving unwanted touching by a known subject (GMU). Subject referred to OSC.
Case 2019-010518 — Information Only PHOTO COURTESY OF MASON POLICE
expands treatment and our capacity to do research,” Cuellar said.
“We really want to promote the idea that research is fun and interesting. We have a lot of students who come here to get the hands-on experience they need for their major in the CHHS department, and we are also planning to have course offerings that include experience here,” Cuellar said.
Case 2019-010462 — Referred to OSC
Thursday, Oct. 24 — Lot A
Wednesday, Oct. 23 — Northern Neck
Hit and Run: Complainant (GMU) reported a hit and run of a vehicle.
Drunkenness/Liquor Law Violations/Medical Assist: Subject (GMU) was transported to Inova Access for overconsumption of alcohol while under the age of 21.
Case 2019-010517 — Information Only
Case 2019-011454 — Referred to OSC
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SPORTS
10.28.2019
GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE @IVESTATE_SPORTS
WHEN REMEMBERING THE 2019 WASHINGTON NATIONALS, DON’T FORGET DAVEY
ROSS SHINBERG STAFF WRITER
“Go 1–0 today” has been the mindset of the Washington Nationals and their manager, Davey Martinez, since the start of the summer.
was his bullpen management. Whether it be overusing relievers by pitching them on backto-back days, putting relievers in spots in which they wouldn’t hold the platoon advantage or by simply using underperforming relievers in high leverage situations, the fans got on him in a hurry.
It’s a simple message — but a necessary one, given how poorly the team started. Through the first 50 games of the 2019 MLB regular season, the Nationals were twelve games under .500. 19 and 31. But those two numbers do not come close to quantifying how low the Nationals truly got.
Through the first two months of the season, the Nationals bullpen had an ERA of 7.14. The second-worst team, the Baltimore Orioles, spotted a 5.94 bullpen ERA.
At the start of the season, the Nationals were not just bad. They were a thirdrate baseball team. And the struggles presented themselves immediately. In the first inning of Opening Day at Nationals Park, Nationals ace Max Scherzer served up a solo shot to New York Mets second baseman Robinson Cano. That was all the Mets needed as they shut out the Nats, 2–0, to open the year.
The large Philadelphia Phillies contingent stationed under the ball’s flight path went berserk. Harper finished his follow-through, admired the ball, started trotting to first base and twirled his bat in the direction of the Nationals’ dugout, as if to say, “Take that!” As if things could not get any worse, during the very next game, Nationals starting shortstop Trea Turner got his right index finger broken on a hit by a pitch, sidelining him for six weeks. Fifty-one days and 28 more losses later, the Nationals were 12 games under .500 and losing in the late innings to the lowly Miami Marlins. And that’s when everything changed. The Nats scored four runs in the eighth inning of that game and won.
Rosenthal was just one of the many problems the Nats had in the bullpen this season. But Martinez’s sentiment through the struggles remained the same.
FOURTH ESTATE BILLY FERGUSON
Five days later, Bryce Harper returned to D.C. for the first time since signing with the Phillies for what was the largest contract in North American sports history. Not only did the Phillies win that game by six runs, but Harper got to exact his revenge. In the eighth inning, he demolished a fastball from Nats reliever Jeremy Hellickson, sending it into the second deck of seats in right field.
When Nats fans went to sleep early in the season, they probably had recurring nightmares of Martinez on the mound, waiting to hand the ball over to Trevor Rosenthal as he jogged in from the rightfield bullpen.
And so the best team in baseball began their magical run. In early May, Todd Dybas, the NBCSW Nationals beat reporter, had a conversation with Martinez in the manager’s office. Martinez told Dybas, “When we get healthy, we’re going to take off.”
wavered on him. After that game against the Marlins in late May, a few Nationals players praised their manager. Veteran second baseman Brian Dozier said of Martinez, “[He is] one hell of a manager. I got his back any day.”
And take off they did, with Martinez at the helm of a speeding bullet ascending the National League standings.
Near the All-Star break, Kurt Suzuki made a similar comment. The 35-yearold catcher said, “I’d put him up there with every single manager I’ve had.”
Martinez’s faith in his team never wavered, and the player’s never
The most significant criticism of Martinez during the regular season
“We’ve got a problem in our bullpen, and we’ve gotta fix it,” a distressed Martinez admitted after an extra-innings loss to the Padres in April. “If we’re going to win consistently, we need all those guys to pitch well in the bullpen.” While minor league call-ups and trades improved the bullpen immensely, some of the players already on the roster got better and rewarded Martinez with high impact moments later in the season. For example, the pitcher who took the loss that April night, Wander Suero, recorded his first career save in a late
June game against the Atlanta Braves. Right after the final out, MASN broadcaster F.P. Santangelo said it was “easily the biggest win of the year” for the Nats. Fast forward to October, and with the culmination of everything he learned throughout the season, Martinez is pushing all of the right buttons in the postseason. Relievers are getting outs, pinch-hitters are getting on-base and the Nationals are racking up the wins. Since May 24 — including the postseason — the Nationals have won nearly two-thirds of their games. For context, a 66.66 percent win rate is a 108 win pace over a 162 game season. The Nationals’ counterpart in the World Series, the Houston Astros, posted the best regular-season record in 2019 with 107 wins. When Martinez stepped into the role of Nationals manager in October of 2017, he mad massive shoes to fill. He replaced beloved skipper Dusty Baker, who led the Nationals to backto-back division titles during his short tenure in D.C. And before Baker, both Davey Johnson and Matt Williams won National League Manager of the Year awards with the Nats earlier in the decade. But in two short years, Martinez is quietly making his case as the best manager in the 14-year history of the Washington Nationals, because he’s done something nobody else could: He’s brought postseason success to the nation’s capital. The Nationals roster is loaded with talent, no doubt about it. Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin lead one of the best rotations in baseball. Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto are two of the ten best batters in the game. Sean Doolittle and Daniel Hudson are as good as any setup-closer combination in the MLB. But when looking back on this magical run, filled with over 100 total wins, multiple beer shower celebrations and the loudest renditions of Baby Shark the world has ever heard, don’t forget about the man who never panicked, trusted his process and led the Nationals all the way to the World Series.
SPORTS
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10.28.2019
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THE GOLDEN GOAL Mason men’s soccer player scores an OT goal that will last a lifetime DOMENIC ALLEGRA ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Mason entered the second overtime of the match.
One thing did stand out to Buijk though: the way soccer is played in the U.S. versus in Europe.
“It was wild,” Buijk said. “I went up for the header and I didn’t put much power behind it, but it kind of just rolled past the goalkeeper and then it went in. And going through my mind was like ‘Oh my god, finally!’ you know after four seasons, finally, I get my goal; it was such an important goal at such an important time. Out of all the enthusiasm I even did a backflip myself and as soon as I landed all the guys were running towards me with big smiles on their faces. So that’s definitely — that’s what I do it for, moments like that.”
At the age of 4, Buijk figured out that he wanted to play soccer. It was while watching the Netherlands national team that he knew it was his calling. “I will never forget,” Buijk said. “I saw a guy score a goal and then he did a backflip after and I was like, ‘Wow, I want to be able to do stuff like that.’ So I’ll never forget that night, those 10 seconds. I was like, ‘Yo, Mom, I want to start playing soccer.’” That memory still remains cemented
in Buijk’s mind. So after trying other sports growing up such as tennis, swimming, baseball, gymnastics and even breakdancing, he finally settled on soccer for good. While he was finished playing those other sports, they seemed to help drastically with his ability to play soccer. “I would say especially breakdancing and gymnastics ... because of the athleticism involved with those, I was able to move pretty well and pretty fast and pretty smooth for someone with my height,” Buijk said. However, when it came time to attend university, Buijk sat at a crossroads.
Either choose between soccer and academics and stay in the Netherlands or do both in America — but be almost 4,000 miles away from his family. Buijk opted for the second option and went to Mason on scholarship. According to Buijk, he chose Mason because it was “very international.” He also really liked the coaching staff, particularly head coach Greg Andrulis. “[Andrulis] was very open-minded about how he was gonna help me go through the whole process, the whole four years,” Buijk said. “And I loved the facilities, the field, the players and the location, it was very close to D.C.”
He continued, “Instead of sprinting down 80 yards, maybe send somebody else to make a 20 yard run, pull somebody back and make a 20 yard run, and you cover the other 40 [yards]. It’s a lot more tactical and technical in Europe. It’s a lot more playing on the ground, passing, finding simple solutions, simple options and over here in America it is a lot more like long range, ball-driven trying to find the pockets behind the defense.” As a defender himself, Buijk does not always find himself on the stat sheet every night. However, the second of the two nights that he did remains his favorite memory since he stepped onto the pitch for Mason. Men’s soccer played Davidson on Oct. 12 of the 2019 season and remained scoreless throughout regulation. And then scoreless in the first overtime.
Then came the 102nd minute of the game. Mason was on the attack. Buijk described what was going through his mind as he scored the golden goal to win against Davidson.
After Buijk scored his first career goal lots of texts and calls came in. “My mom and dad, they watched the game so as soon as I went into the locker room, I just gave them a call and they’re like, ‘Oh my god, I’m so happy for you, that was awesome, well done!’” Buijk said. “I got a lot of messages from people saying how proud they were, how cool they thought it was and the celebration as well.” Men’s soccer is close to qualifying for the Atlantic 10 Tournament and this will be a season to remember for Buijk whether they make it there or not. As an information systems major, Buijk plans to head home to the Netherlands to work for the data analytics department of IKEA. He also hopes to get his Master’s while he’s home at Erasmus University before hopefully working for an international company that will send him back to the U.S. PHOTO COURTESY OF MASON ATHLETICS
PHOTO COURTESY OF MASON ATHLETICS
“It’s very different,” Buijk said. “It’s a lot more physically driven. It’s like when the game is not going well, you need to work harder. But in Europe, it’s usually seen as if the game is not going well, you need to be smarter.”
It’s about an eight hour plane ride and almost 4,000 miles to men’s soccer senior Gilian Buijk’s home in Wassenaar, Netherlands.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MASON ATHLETICS
While Buijk did not have much to acclimate to coming from the Netherlands, he said that “I had to get acclimated [because of] not having my parents or my family … But I got adjusted to it pretty quick and I was already pretty familiar with the American culture.”
However, until then, history seems to repeat itself. A young boy goes from watching a guy on TV score a goal and celebrate with a backflip to doing it himself. Who knows? Maybe a little boy was watching Buijk, thinking about how he wants to be just like him.
Faces of Mason
FACES OF MASON delves into the lives of Mason students, faculty, alumni and organizations every week. This week, we take a closer look at Lilian de Jonge and Investors and Innovations Team INTERVIEWS BY KIM BARTENFIELDER
Fa c u l t y : L i l i a n d e J o n g e What brought you to Mason? Well, I’m originally from the Netherlands. I went to Montreal for an internship, and was then offered to stay so I got my degree. I spent 14 years in Louisiana working with metabolism and obesity [research]. Then, in 2010 I was invited to work at the [National Institute of Health] as a contractor. We had budget cuts in the lab there and I came to Mason as an adjunct, then full-time professor. PHOTO COURTESY OF LILIAN DE JONGE
Why did you decide to conduct research that involved children? I always wanted to do pediatric research and Louisiana wasn’t set up for it. I didn’t grow up in the U.S., but my kids did and they would complain that school food wasn’t the best. I don’t think overall the quality is as bad as people think, but [schools] can provide food — but it doesn’t mean the kids will eat it.
Your research suggests salad bars as alternatives to fruits or vegetables of the day. How does the salad bar function and what is research looking like? The salad bar varies because it’s not the same food every time. Kids go to the salad bar before they get into the food line and can take as much as they want. We are following up, because right now it’s still new and they are enthusiastic. However, what students choose is not the same as what they eat. What’s the end or ideal goal of your research? To move things forward. There’s no data, and of course there are nutritional recommendations out there but they aren’t innovative. Forcing kids to put things on the tray doesn’t make them eat it. It’s [also] important for school systems because they have
purchase data and that’s about it. Do you see your research funneling into other research projects or ideas? I am working with Real Food for Kids that looks at the lunchroom environment: how noisy it is, if kids are behaving, how much time they have to eat. We’ll follow up with a small intervention that will create a video to teach lunch monitors what to look for and more. Whether the projects intertwine, we’ll see. My research now is done in partnership with VCU and this helps me get my foot in the door for other things too. Is there anything else about your research that you’d like to share? It’s a lot of fun! I’m learning as well and seeing the direction it’s going.
O r g a n i z a t i o n : I n v e s t o r s a n d I n n o v a t i o n s Te a m ( I I T )
Gutala: We’re potentially looking at going to [Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research] too to help fund our projects, but we plan to get most of our money from sponsorships.” What’s the overall goal of IIT? What was the inspiration for your organization?
Why is IIT important to the Mason community?
Paschke: It started in July when Sai [Gutala] texted me and said, ‘Hey, do you have any projects or computer stuff that you want to do?’ and I said, ‘Yeah.’ We realized that all of these projects required more people, so we decided to make a club.
Gutala: Many of the engineering organizations on campus are career focused, which is important, but what we want to focus on is on the skills. IIT actually allows people to gain that experience outside of the classroom.
We want to draw attention to Mason and change the culture of engineering to be for everyone. Paschke: Our organization revolves around the spirit of hands-on work. How is IIT able to fund and create projects? Paschke: When we created the club,
Paschke: Making everything very hands-on where everybody can get involved with these crazy ideas, and not so much just an in-class thing. For me, seeing something outside of class was so much more valuable because I was able to make a connection. Learning in class is necessary, but IIT is a way to gather something they’ll never forget.
What does membership look like? Gutala: When people think about IIT, it shouldn’t just be Nick [Paschke] and I. Every member makes a difference for this organization. We don’t have a limit on who can join. You don’t have to be an engineer. You just have to be someone with a passion and an idea.
PHOTO COURTESY OF INVESTORS AND INNOVATIONS TEAM
PHOTO COURTESY OF INVESTORS AND INNOVATIONS TEAM
we realized that we get $3,000 a semester. However, that’s through [Registered Student Organizations] and can be used for food, promotionals and things like that, but not the technology — which is a huge complication for us. So, what we did was depending on the research, we’re thinking of going to the Volgenau School of Engineering.
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A HEART FULL OF PERFORMANCE
Mason junior looks towards future filled with music
PHOTO COURTESY OF LAUREN ASHLAIE
ALEXANDRIA MCALPINE ART DIRECTOR
Being on stage was always in Lauren Ashlaie’s future. The junior vocal performance major’s accolades include winning the Hollywood Song Writing Contest this year, and a Music in the Media Award nomination. “I would honestly like to see myself performing,” Ashlaie said. “That has always been the love of my life. My heart has always belonged to performing. I grew up on ice performing, I
grew up on a stage performing and now I spend my time as a music major performing.”
albums and getting out there to work on bettering the songs that I do have now,” Ashlaie said. “Even though I love them with all my heart, I am always thinking there is something that could be better.”
Ashlaie is working towards a major in vocal performance with a minor in arts management.
Ashlaie’s first exposure to performing was first exposure to performing was figure skating and dance when she was young.
Her first song “Who I Want to Be” was written in December 2016, and released in May 2017. That song and her other singles have been released on Spotify, Google Play, Amazon Music, Soundcloud, Itunes, Apple Music, Shazam, Reverbnation and Poze Radio. Currently, she has only released singles, but her goal is to start working on an album or EP as soon as possible. “As soon as school starts dying down, I want to really start focusing on
“As I continued on, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life,” Ashlaie said. “In fact, I knew I liked music, but I didn’t know how to incorporate it into myself.” Writing, another one of her passions, allowed her to bring music into her life. Through songwriting, Ashlaie satisfied both her love of writing and her desire to perform for an audience. “It’s a great way to express emotions and to get everything out of your head and get it onto paper and just be a good release,” Ashlaie said. She took one choir class in her sophomore year of high school and started voice lessons during her junior
year. Her senior year, she decided to dedicate her life to writing and recording music. Ashlaie uses her daily life to inspire her writing in an attempt to put together a meaningful song. “There are a lot of different ways people do it,” Ashlaie said. “For me, its if I’m having a really happy day, or a more of a ‘meh’ day, I’ll write down what going through my head.” After getting the words on paper, Ashlaie gets in contact with the producers she works with in New York and discusses the melody for the written words. After Ashlaie’s song lyrics are put with the melody her producers create, the tweaking process begins. They make the sounds and lyrics just right to completely express the emotion she is trying to convey. Once everyone is happy with the finished product, Ashlaie records the song. “The first song that I recorded, because I [had] never been in a studio before, I was in from 1 p.m. to about midnight,” Ashlaie said. “As you get
more and more used to recording, and you get more comfortable with your team, I knocked out this last song in three hours.” Looking towards the future, she is considering attending graduate school to study arts management. “I would really like to work with Broadway, because the teacher I worked with worked on the first Broadway show of ‘Mamma Mia,’” Ashlaie said. “She told us all these stories and she makes it sound so cool. It’s a lot of work. She basically did what I want to do, which is PR marketing.” The biggest lesson learned along her musical journey is to work hard. Ashlaie said that starting a career in music performance takes a lot of patience. She recommends to other people trying to achieve a career in music to “go with the flow,” and enjoy the things you learn and the people you will meet. “It has been a journey of a lifetime,” Ashlaie said. “I’m doing what I love and what I plan to do my whole life.”
AMATEUR DRAG SHOW BRINGS PRIDE TO MASON Performers vogued, shimmied and slayed On Friday, Oct. 25, the small Gillespie Gallery of Art in the Art and Design Building buzzed with chatter. From the moment the doors opened, the audience section was full, and many crowded at the back of the room filled with anticipation. Finally, the lights dimmed and the first drag queen began her performance. At the Amateur Drag Show held by Mason’s Pride Alliance, 11 drag queens and kings performed to songs ranging from 3OH!3’s “Touchin’ on My” to Billie Ellish’s “Bad Guy.” Some performers used props in their routines, like stools and tables. The event was hosted by drag queen Ma’sVusi, who kicked off the event by performing Lady Gaga’s “Fashion,” wearing a purple see-through jacket, jean shorts and black heels. “How many of you are registered to vote?” Ma’sVusi asked after her performance, leading the crowd in a
round of applause after she received positive cheers. She then asked, “How many of you are voting for Donald Trump?” The audience gave an answer considerably more quiet, with only a few nervous laughs heard. Then, Ma’sVusi led the crowd in another round of applause. Ma’sVusi also mentioned that Pride Alliance canvasses for Laura Jane Cohen, who is running for the Springfield seat on the Fairfax County school board. She described Cohen as an ally, someone that is willing to stand up for the children in her district and fight for their rights. “We have to get people that care about us,” Ma’sVusi said. “It is so important when we get [LGBTQ+] people in a room, when we get allies in a room, we have to ensure that we tell one another that we love each other. You know how you show your love? You knock [on] doors and get people that
wanna protect the rights in office.” Drag queen Regina Cyan was one of the notable performers at the event. Stepping out from backstage, she was dressed as Cruella De Vil, complete with a fake dalmatian fur coat and long cigar. Cyan performed to Selena Gomez’s version of “Cruella De Vil,” throwing her coat into the audience, hitting a member seated in the front row. “She is the most fashionable villain ever, and I thought, ‘Why not?’” Cyan said. “I just really loved the idea.” Cyan said that she would definitely perform again, and was already thinking of songs that she could use in a future performance. Audience participation was highly stressed by the performers at the event. “As a person who’s been to only one other drag show, it’s part of the experience,” freshman art major Ed
Girardin said. “You need to interact. ‘Cause they’re interacting with you, so when you’re given the opportunity to interact back you just gotta. You can’t say no.” The last group, a duo wearing goat and bunny masks called BUNNi & GOATFACE, invited three audience members up to the stage to hula hoop with them. Several students requested to take a photo with them after the event. At the very end of the night, all the performers lined up and began to dance with the audience. Lizzo’s “Truth Hurts” could be heard playing from outside the gallery. Though the Amateur Drag Show has ended, Pride Alliance will continue to hold events this semester, including the Trans Day of Remembrance Panel and Vigil on Nov. 18.
FOURTH ESTATE DOMINIQUE BERNADINO
IZZ LAMAGDELEINE ASSISTANT CULTURE EDITOR
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THE FIGHT AGAINST STIGMA How Mason is working to destigmatize mental health NIKAYLA KIRCHNER STAFF WRITER
Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses sometimes go untreated on college campuses. In fact, according to students, fear and anxiety about acknowledging their mental health concerns and approaching mental health services remains a major reason for not reaching out. “I was very hesitant and uncertain to go to Counseling and Psychological Services [CAPS] at first,” said Jade DeVore, a freshman environmental science major who has recently utilized CAPS services. “It still feels as though the mental health community here seems invisible to me, especially with the more stigmatized illnesses.”
According to an article published by the American Psychological Association, “More U.S. adolescents and young adults in the late 2010s, versus the mid-2000s, experienced serious psychological distress, major depression or suicidal thoughts, and more attempted suicide.” Among these statistics, the U.S. National Library of Medicine published an article in 2015 that about 3.2 percent of college students meet the criteria for bipolar disorder, and about 6 percent of the U.S. population is diagnosed with schizophrenia. The article noted, however, that these statistics are not entirely accurate as a large number of cases go unreported and undiagnosed each year. By offering services such as CAPS as well as Disability Services, Mason students have the opportunity to reach
out for help and receive a variety of resources. The U.S. National Library of Medicine reported that “the extent to which schools partner with mental health services has implications for the short-term success of students’ recovery and their future employability,” thus emphasizing the crucial need for a safe, supportive college environment. “We provide short-term individual and group counseling, one-time workshops on specialized topics, and community education programs (outreach), and academic coaching,” said CAPS director Jennifer Kahler. “These are all designed to enhance students’ personal experience and academic performance.” In addition to CAPS, students with more severe mental illnesses are able to receive support from Disability Services, as the two work together to provide service and support for students. “CAPS is often the first point of contact for students experiencing more serious mental health concerns,” Kahler added. “We also encourage students with more serious mental health needs to seek the support of the Office of Disability Services, which we can help coordinate with the student’s permission.”
703.841.2504
Disability Services, on the other hand, works
particularly with students diagnosed with more stigmatized mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. According to their website, Disability Services provides services such as housing, meal plans, interactive and trained faculty members, and even emotional support animals to assist students. Both services function alongside each other to offer support and safety to students dealing with mental health issues. Kahler cited outreach and a lack of awareness as a gap in their services. “One item that we have received feedback about is that not all Mason students are aware of our services,” Kahler added. The implications of stigma and its consequences remain the most crucial aspect of mental health in both outreach and in seeking treatment. Kahler mentioned a few particular ways in which CAPS and Mason are working to destigmatize mental illnesses. “First, we provide numerous community education presentations throughout the year to campus groups and organizations,” Kahler said. “Second, we have implemented other services at CAPS that are less traditional in order to help students feel more comfortable coming into CAPS.” She cited their accomplishments such
FOURTH ESTATE ALEXANDRIA MCALPINE
Schizo. Bipolar. Psychotic. These are the words nonchalantly thrown around college campuses, characterized by stigma and dripping with negative connotation.
as their podcast and movie screening in the Got Health campus event for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, as well as their opening of a Mind Spa to emphasize their push towards universal destigmatizing mental illness. “After going to [CAPS], it made me feel like Mason has the potential to be very open and supportive of stigmatized diseases,” DeVore continued. “I feel as though I have an opportunity to grow and blossom as a new student and deal with my anxiety in a healthy manner. If you need help, get help.”
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A STORY OF TODAY, AND OF OUR PAST Mason’s School of Theater brings a revised version of ‘Rags’ to the Center for the Arts HAILEY BULLIS CO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Mason’s School of Theater will be performing the newest version of the Broadway play "Rags" opening on Thursday, Oct. 31, in the Concert Hall in the Center for the Arts. "Rags," a musical about immigration to the U.S. in the year 1910, is a story that has one foot in the past and one story in the future according to Rick Davis, the director of the musical and the dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The musical focuses on Rebecca and her son, David, who are traveling from Russia to New York in search of a better life, after fleeing a pogrom in Russia where her husband was killed. While on the ship, they meet a young girl named Bella who is traveling alone to the U.S. to meet up with her father. With a cast of around 35 people, the musical threads together the story of
America's past and present. “I wanted to see if the production could tell two stories simultaneously," said Davis. "The story of the folks who came from, essentially, Russia and Poland in 1910 — kind of the world of ‘Fiddler on the Roof ’ if you will — brought forward and also, by embodying the diversity that is Mason, we could tell the story of today [too]." While many know the popular saying that America is a “melting pot” of cultures, Davis argues that it is more of a quilt or tapestry. “You have different colors, different threads, different textures that all are represented at the same time and all work together, but they don’t melt each other down. And the story of New York in 1910 was that story also,” he said.
cast of "Rags" to be as diverse as both Mason and present-day America.
original Broadway run in the '80s.
Senior theater performance major Julia Souza immigrated to the U.S. when she was 7, and received her U.S. citizenship last year. She connected with the play from the beginning. In the musical, Souza plays Rachel, a peddler.
Senior Lauren Fraites, a theater performance major, plays Bella in the musical. Fraites said that there is some contemporary style within the musical because it has been revised since its original run.
“Connecting with it was probably the easiest thing that I could possibly do, but it’s still a different story from mine,” she said.
“It definitely does feel very ‘right here, right now,’ and like [Julia] said, everyone just coming into this country, all of the characters, every immigrant — they all believe in America," said Fraites.
Souza continued, “But because of what I went through I’m able to talk about it genuinely.” Davis and the team behind “Rags” are working directly with the original creative team of the musical to put on the newest version, which has undergone a few revisions since its
With this in mind, Davis wanted the
Tickets for general admission are $30, and $15 for students, staff, seniors and groups. The show will run for two hours with two acts and a 15-minute intermission.
SPANISH CONVERSATIONS: TERTUILA SOCIAL SPANISH Learning Spanish while having fun with Ana Ruiz AHMED FARID STAFF WRITER
This is why Professor Ana Ruiz, who teaches Spanish and French, started Tertulia, a Spanish conversational gathering. Ruiz started the program when she arrived at Mason in fall 2017. “I was part of a similar initiative at
West Virginia University, where I got my masters and was a Spanish TA, so I saw firsthand the benefits [of conversational language programs],” Ruiz said. “And when I saw that Mason didn’t have any, I volunteered to organize it.” Open to everybody on campus, students get a chance to improve their skills in Spanish by conversing with native speakers in a fun and casual atmosphere. Participants tend to have some background in Spanish, and simply want to improve. Even those
who are relatively proficient have a lot to learn by attending Tertulia. “[Students are] appreciative … about learning expressions that are more colloquial and perhaps we don’t have time to study in class, such as idioms and common sayings in Spanish,” Ruiz said. Many students stop by who are interested in learning Spanish, but have not been able to fit classes into their schedule. Freshman physics major Dave Littere is one of the students who has taken advantage of this program to improve his Spanish skills.
FOURTH ESTATE AHMED FARID
“I like the idea that there’s no curriculum,” Littere said. “It’s a free forum where you talk the same way you would in real life.” Tertuila’s popularity has also spread beyond the halls of Mason. Tristan and Aidan Caplan, both high school students, have been attending this event for the past seven weeks. After taking a Spanish class taught by Ruiz, they wanted to make sure they kept practicing because “lack of practice means lack of learning,” Tristan said. One of the reasons this event has
FOURTH ESTATE AHMED FARID
Mason, ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the most diverse campus in Virginia, has events that celebrate what makes us all unique, exposing students to different cultures along the way.
proven so popular is the importance of the Spanish language, particularly due to the presence of over 4,900 Hispanic and Latino students at Mason. “Most students see it as the great asset that it can be for them, since it can open a lot of professional, personal and community opportunities,” Ruiz said. Ruiz plans on doing more events of this nature at Mason after this semester. Ruiz also plans on including more events that focus on those who are still beginners and want to become fluent in Spanish.
One of the programs Ruiz has already started is the Conversation Partner Program. This program pairs Spanish students who come to Mason as part of an exchange program with Mason students who want to practice their Spanish. This gives an opportunity for Mason students to practice their Spanish, as well as for Spanish exchange students to improve their English and meet new people. “Thanks to the Global Education Office, I have been able to pair more than 20 students so far,” Ruiz said.
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Take back treating yourself LEIGH NORMAN STAFF WRITER
Treating yourself means gifting yourself little pleasures to ease pain or celebrate success. While helpful in theory, we often go too far. These small — or large — expenses add up. You do not have to stop completely, but you must be responsible. Here are ways to treat both yourself and your bank account. Keep track of your treats. There is nothing wrong with buying a $5 shirt or a $7 sandwich. The issue only arises when you buy them multiple times a week. Write down when you purchase these nonessentials in a calendar or budgeting app. When you see how often and how much you spend, you’re more likely to cut back. If using a budgeting app like Mint, you can also see what percentage of your budget these treats are. The number may shock you.
Have no treat weeks. Break out that calendar app and set aside chunks of time where you do not buy any non-essential items. No matter how badly that test went, you cannot spend money on treats. It will be difficult at first, but soon you will find other ways to cheer yourself up. Set a limit. Decide what is worth a treat. By setting the bar high, you will spend less money as fewer events will qualify for a treating session. Finished studying? Wait. Passed the test? Almost. Got a B on the midterm? There we go! Understand why you’re treating yourself. Ask yourself why you grab a chai after a solid interview. Is it because you want to relax and reflect? Recognize the purpose behind your treats, be it relaxation, fun or catharsis. Then, find a low-cost or free way to get that same effect. Read a book in Fenwick’s fiction section to relax. Attend the
Muay Thai or yoga club to relieve stress. Treating yourself is mostly about mental comfort, but there may be something else under the surface. Consider if you’re treating yourself as a Band-Aid solution for something else. If you buy a new purse after a fight with a parent or splurge on sushi after a poor chemistry grade, it is more helpful to address the root problem. No matter how much joy these purchases bring you, that root cause will come back eventually. Escape the cycle. Notice your spending patterns; what happens directly before or after you buy? Mark these causes down in a diary app like Daylio and look back on them. Identify the cause of your problems and apply real solutions, not just new makeup. Stop treating yourself to objects and start treating yourself right.
FOURTH ESTATE BILLY FERGUSON
It starts as a frappuccino. Then, a new pair of jeans. Then, a weekend trip away. In the end, treating yourself is putting a hole in your wallet.
HIDDEN HANGOUTS: THE OLD FIRESTATION #3
This firestation bar is pretty lit DANA NICKEL CO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
at the bar or chatting up customers that come in. His booming voice and laughter fill the restaurant most nights, and he’s greeted with excited voices shouting, “Hey, it’s Harry!” every time he walks through the restaurant.
The Old Firestation #3 was formerly Fairfax’s firehouse. It’s a small bar and restaurant now, taking up two rooms in the middle of the Fairfax Historic District.
The Old Firestation provides a welcome and familiar feeling, as if you grew up down the road and frequented the bar for burgers and soda pop with your dad every Saturday. Weekdays between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., the bar fills with both regulars and new faces excited for dinner and happy hour after a long day of work. The Firestation’s happy hour means $3 mixed drinks — a fact that delighted groups of customers, whether they were 21 or 61.
The restaurant has been run as a tribute to the old firehouse for over 10 years. Signs, paintings and photos commemorating the old firemen cover every wall in the local watering hole. The building used to serve as a coffee shop, and if you look underneath the bar you’re still able to see the remnants of poetry scribbled onto the table years ago. The owner of the bar, Harry, is the lifeblood of the place. If he’s not working in the kitchen, he’s working
It’s hard for college students to go out to eat and stick to a budget, especially in one of the most affluent areas in the country. The Firestation serves a mix of pretty cheap Greek cuisine and typical bar food, and I’d even say it’s
worth more than what you’ll end up paying for. On most days, you can get a large portion of a gyro and side salad for under $8, and don’t get me started on the fries. They are the best I’ve ever tasted. If you’re also looking for a spot to hear some music, every Sunday the bar hosts a band that draws a pretty sweet crowd. The band performs classic rock hits, and encourages all customers to sing and dance along while they enjoy their food and drinks. On top of that, Wednesday and Friday nights are reserved for karaoke. All are welcome. Honestly, what better way to spend a Friday night than convincing your friends to sing their hearts out to Taylor Swift? I can’t think of one.
FOURTH ESTATE ALEXANDRIA MCALPINE
Disclaimer: I was a cocktail waitress at the Old Firestation last summer. It’s one of my few work experiences where I genuinely enjoyed the relationship I had with my boss, my coworkers and the customers I served.
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OPINIONS Opinions do not reflect the views of Fourth Estate. Submit opinions to ckernans@gmu.edu
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SO YOU SAY YOU WANT A FOOTBALL TEAM DOMINIC PINO STAFF WRITER
Of course, when you say you want a football team, you don’t really mean you want football. We already have football. You can watch the club football team play on the RAC Field if you want. I’m sure they’re terrific, but I’ve never gone to watch. Neither have most students. We care so much about our current football team that, at the time of this writing, the club football Twitter account has been dormant since Sept. 21, and no one noticed — despite the team having played three games since then. But the Twitter account is doing a whole lot better than the official university club football website, which hasn’t been updated since Barack Obama was president. When you say you want a football team, surely what you really mean is you want the experience of having a football team. You don’t want to watch the masterful execution of a Cover 2 defensive scheme or a jet sweep. You want the gameday experience where students are united
by facepaint, the fight song, alcohol, superstitious traditions, alcohol, funny signs, alcohol and tailgating in support of their school. You want what you see on ESPN on Saturdays when the College Gameday bus rolls into Tuscaloosa, Alabama or Norman, Oklahoma. While all that would be fun, there’s one really big problem: Fairfax ain’t Tuscaloosa. If Mason got an NCAA football team, we wouldn’t join the South Eastern Conference. We wouldn’t even join the Football Bowl Subdivision, which are the schools with a chance to be in a bowl game. No, we’d be a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) school, and we’d have to join a different conference for football only (the A-10 is a non-football conference). Looking at the other schools in the A-10 with football teams, that means such prestigious conferences as the Pioneer League or our old conference, the Colonial Athletic Association.
fans. We’d have a glorified high school stadium like most other FCS schools. As for the cheering fans, students by and large don’t attend the sporting events we currently have. The student section at basketball games isn’t always full. When the A-10 tournament was at Capital One Arena in 2018 and the athletic department offered free student tickets, I picked one up — and had nearly the whole section to myself in D.C.
we’d act any differently if we added a new sport? The university would spend a ton of money it doesn’t have to field a bad football team in a crappy conference, the first game would sell out, the novelty would wear off and by the end of the first season, it would be just another poorly attended Mason sporting event.
What would make anyone believe
That’s not to say we shouldn’t be
looking to expand in terms of sports. I just think we should build on what we already have. Mason already owns a top-notch sports facility in EagleBank Arena. We should be courting a minorleague hockey team. EagleBank is the perfect size at 10,000 seats, Capitals tickets are really expensive and the closest minor-league team to Fairfax is in Harrington, Delaware. There’s a market for minor-league hockey in Northern Virginia. Work out a deal for student discounts, and it would be sweet.
So you say you want a football team? I say, why bother? I’ll enjoy watching real college football on TV.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MASON CLUB FOOTBALL
So you say you want a football team?
We wouldn’t build an 80,000-seat stadium with throngs of cheering
A NEEDLESS CONTRIBUTION TO SYSTEMIC CLASSISM ELI KOHN STAFF WRITER
Mere hours later, a millionaire is pulled over and ticketed for the same offense. They pull a few hundred dollar bills out of their pocket — maybe a few hours work for them, and are able to pay the fine without worrying about how they are going to pay for their rent. The U.S. was founded on the fundamental belief that all its citizens are equal. In fact, if I’m not mistaken, it was Thomas Jefferson
who claimed it self-evident that “all men are created equal.” Why then do traffic fines, which are intended to enforce the basics of civil law, carry such heavy implications of inequality? Fines are meant to offer a punishment and a message to offenders, but the message a speeding fine sends to someone well-off is nothing compared to someone working a minimum wage, 9 to 5 job. So why are fines not proportional to income? Is it not obvious that the same amount of money is not equally impactful to individuals of different economic standing? The answer is actually quite obvious. It is in the interest of American lawmakers to protect the wealthy and drag down the poor. Wealthy individuals are likely to not be as deterred from committing simple public order crimes, due to the fact that they are only minorly affected
PHOTO COURTESY OF DAN HAWKINS
Imagine you’re driving to school, running late for your 8 a.m. You notice that you’re going 65 mph in a 50 mph zone, and soon after you notice police lights behind you. The officer cites you for speeding, and you receive a $290 ticket. With your $10 an hour, 10 hours-a-week job at Blaze Pizza, three weeks of work — a quarter of a semester — are gone. Thankfully you weren’t on a highway, or it would’ve been upwards of $500.
by the deterrents that exist. This only leads to the corruption that the American elite are known best for.
You may wonder why speeding tickets would even be considered objects of such concern. They are, after all,
some of the smallest fines you can get in the grand scheme of things. But that mindset is exactly what allows traffic fines to be an issue. Unpaid fines (maybe unpaid because the offender has to feed their three children) can increase time without a license or even lead to jail time. And the more time that passes, the harder it becomes to pay that fine. Even outside of the disproportionate effects that traffic fines have on the poor, there are factors such as the increasing entitlement of the rich to consider. So, what then is the solution? The simple answer — or so you’d think — is income-based fines, dollar amounts decided as a percentage of annual income. Under this system, fines would be equally impactful to everyone, not just another burden placed by the wealthy on those who can hardly manage.
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OPINIONS Opinions do not reflect the views of Fourth Estate. Submit opinions to ckernans@gmu.edu
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NO HOME FOR GREEK HOMES KAYLYN MATIS STAFF WRITER
One of the main complaints I have heard from those involved in Greek life is that Mason does not have a Greek row. By not having a Greek row, Mason shows that it is trying to push Greek life off campus as well as dissociate the university from the organizations.
Most people know that Mason has a huge housing shortage. The lack of a Greek row exacerbates the housing issue because those involved in Greek life may be forced to live on campus. This is especially an issue for Greek life, as Fairfax City has a law
PHOTO COURTESY OF RON AIRA
With nearly 2,000 students involved in fraternities and sororities, it simply does not make sense. The lack of a
Greek row is one of several issues with Greek life at Mason, many of which stem from a lack of support.
preventing more than four unrelated people to live together. Not having a Greek row also creates many issues for fraternities in regards to hosting events. Whenever an event is held, whether it is a mixer with or without alcohol, those attending need transportation to the off-campus location. College students drink, and transportation becomes a large problem when alcohol is involved. This can heighten instances of drinking and driving. The responsibility of providing rides to and from the event falls onto fraternities themselves. This not only has a large monetary cost but is a lot of work. Those doing the actual driving often do so for hours at a time. If there was a Greek row on campus, fraternities would not have the cost or responsibility of safe rides. Mason always discusses how
important safety is, but this is a prime example of where they turn a blind eye to the dangers of transportation to and from parties.
are difficult to meet. After speaking with members of Greek life, they concluded that having the events at multiple times and on more than one day would be the best solution.
The lack of support for Greek life charity events is also a huge issue. When a fraternity or sorority is holding a charity event, they typically go through third parties like Chipotle or Panda Express. If Mason matched funding, there would be the potential for the organizations to raise significantly more money.
Mason needs to work towards providing more overall support for Greek life. There tends to be a negative attitude towards Greek life, yet everyone I know that is in it or has been involved in it loves it. It is a great way to meet new friends that can last a lifetime. This can be seen in how alumni still visit their organizations years later. On top of valuable friendships, Greek life can also be a great way to network. I witnessed an older brother in a fraternity helping a younger one prepare for the career fair earlier this month. This is just a small scale example. When alumni come back to visit their chapter, they provide the opportunity for students to network with them. Fraternities and sororities also do a lot of charity work. I constantly see booths set up in the Johnson Center or posts for fundraisers on Facebook. They are not just bettering themselves, they are helping others too. Greek life brings a lot to Mason and deserves more university support.
Mason often provides ultimatums for required events. For example, in late September, every sorority had to have 90 percent of their chapter attend an anti-hazing seminar. While this was a great idea, they held the event at 7:30 p.m. on a Wednesday. Due to limited on-campus housing and lack of a Greek row, many students have difficulties coming to campus at that time. Combined with work and school responsibilities students have, the choice to only have the event one time in the evening made it difficult to meet the requirements imposed by Mason. If a chapter does not meet the requirement, they are fined. The fines are not just punishments — they are more like burdens when the events are only offered one time and the quotas
WHY DON’T WE PAY ATTENTION TO WOMEN’S SPORTS? CHRISTINA O’FARRELL STAFF WRITER
But when it comes to the Washington Wizards, I would know if they were in the playoffs. Everyone knows when the NBA playoffs are happening. There’s so much press and attention surrounding men’s sports, but what about women’s sports? I can’t even name 10 professional female athletes. I could probably name five, and they’d all be from the U.S. Women’s Soccer team — because they are the only women’s team that has gotten press due to the recent World
Cup win. But honestly, why don’t we pay more attention to women’s sports? Why don’t sport journalists give them more attention? A few assumptions crossed my mind. Is it because some people can’t see women as being “competitive” and would rather see them cheering on the side? There was a show for the Dallas Cowboys’ cheerleaders and it got more press than any other women’s professional
which she seems able to do it.” Let that sink in. It’s 2019 and I’m convinced this is the way some people still think.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CRAIG BISACRE
When I found out that the Washington Mystics won the WNBA Championship, I was beyond surprised. I had no idea they were even in the playoffs. I had no idea that the WNBA playoffs were even happening. I barely knew anything about the Washington Mystics.
game. Would people really rather see women as cheerleaders than in on the action? Paul Gallico, a sportswriter from 1936,
has a quote that I think might still apply in some people’s minds today: “It is a lady’s business to look beautiful and there are hardly any sports in
Does it come down to gender expectations or roles? People expect men to be the ones watching their favorite NFL team on Sunday in their “man cave,” while women are sitting there not knowing anything about sports. The amount of times I’ve had guys look at me crazily when I spit out a fact about the NFL is outrageous. Women know sports. As much as I’d like to say I pay attention to women’s sports a lot, I really don’t. I have been trying to, but I just never see any press coverage. I’m not going to blame the press, but I do think if they covered women’s sports more, we’d be naming a lot more women as known athletes.
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OPINIONS Opinions do not reflect the views of Fourth Estate. Submit opinions to ckernans@gmu.edu
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DEVELOPING A COMPETITIVE MINDSET ARIANNA GOODMAN STAFF WRITER
I’ve never really been competitive. I enjoy winning things and feeling accomplished, of course, but I’ve just never had the drive to beat others in order to do so. When I was in middle school, I joined the volleyball team. As much as I hated gym, running and unnecessary movement, I found volleyball to be a fun way to get rid of excess energy and improve my physical fitness. Admittedly, I wasn’t an all-star or anything. The lack of exercise in my previous years definitely didn’t make running laps easy or fun. The team also wasn’t very great. We lost every game. At the time, I felt confident that I had tried my best, and so I didn’t feel bad for losing. I loved playing volleyball, and a fair game was all that mattered to me. As long as the other team
played well and presented some form of a challenge, I was happy regardless of the outcome. It was during these years, however, that my understanding of competition began to change. I soon realized that those around me didn’t share the same mindset. My coach would routinely single me out and yell at me to get more aggressive on the court. My team members kept a certain distance from me, and I from them. It felt as though we existed in two different worlds. What began as a fun pastime soon became a stressful period of isolation. As I got older, I grew to realize why times like my volleyball years ended so poorly. I simply wasn’t very competitive, and those who were expected me to be. Throughout the years, I ran into multiple occasions
where other people demanded some level of aggression in order to succeed. Doing my best was never enough; I always had to do better than someone else. My parents raised me to believe the former, but society seemed to expect the latter. Generally, when I say I’m noncompetitive, people immediately try to correct me by pointing out that I play competitive video games or by saying that I’m just lazy. Again, being noncompetitive doesn’t mean that I hate winning. I just mean to say that I have very little drive to see others lose. For instance, I play Overwatch for fun, and I would much rather play well and lose than play awfully and somehow win. As for being lazy, I would argue that not wanting to compare myself to others is not a lack of motivation, but
rather something different. Recently, I started thinking about competition again. I am very swiftly nearing the end of my college career, and now I think I must be some form of a masochist for choosing one of the more competitive industries to try breaking into, game design. The major itself is actually very collaborative, and the industry values teamwork for getting projects done. However, it is a very small and close-knit industry that takes a lot of hard work (and a dash of luck) to solidly get into. During my first year, I found it very daunting — to say the least. There was, and is, a lot on the line. Without consistent work, I won’t be able to pay rent or buy groceries. In order to get consistent work, I would have to deliberately prove I’m the best candidate for a job. Because of the
stakes, my non-competitive attitude could hinder me in communicating my passion and capabilities. Consequently, I decided to, rather than transfer to a less volatile industry, immerse myself in competition and learn to appreciate the competitive mindset without forgetting the importance of collaboration. I’m not sure if I can shift my entire worldview, and I honestly don’t want to, but I am growing to understand the utility of competitiveness. I see this revelation as a chance to grow and challenge myself. Most importantly, it is an opportunity to create new patterns of thinking that can bridge the gap between maintaining my sense of self and achieving my goals.
DO WHAT IS RIGHT, NOT WHAT IS GOOD ALEX MADAJIAN STAFF WRITER
PHOTO COURTESY OF EVAN CANTWELL
It’s a rather unheard of virtute nowadays, but we’ve forgotten to respect acts of kindness done without expectation of reward. To pick up litter when no one is around, to donate to charity anonymously or to fix someone else’s problem without taking the credit are all examples of selflessness that seem to be unencouraged. How often can we say we do things simply because they are right, rather than because we want people to know our righteousness?
Are you a good person? Do you do what’s right? All of the time? Or do you only do what seems good? It seems people are more willing to do what feels good or what society indicates is good. Don’t believe me? Hear me out, then think about it. True moral character does not come from doing what feels good to you, just
as a kleptomaniac’s joy from thievery doesn’t make them a moral person. Nor does doing what other people say is good make you a moral person. The Nazis on trial at Nuremberg found this out. Real moral character — or dare I say “righteousness” — comes from consistently doing what’s right both when you are being watched and when you are not.
To volunteer for a charity, soup kitchen or benevolent organization is a moral thing to do. But if someone is only motivated to help because of that group photo to brag about on social media or to get someone to sign you off for class credit, then the motivation was not benevolence towards the people being served, but your own advancement.
In our free society, it is easy to “tell it to the man.” Who hasn’t openly criticized a politician, organization, administration, “society” (whatever that means) or personal enemies? The real question of moral character lies in whether we have the fortitude to stand against our own clique. Be it people within your political or religious affiliation, friends, family, work colleagues or simply whatever you call your own tribe, are you willing to lose a relationship with them for what is right? Are you willing to stand alone, perhaps against your friends, to defy what is wrong and stand for what is right? If we do what feels good, we always stand with what causes us less pain. But if we have strong moral character,
standing against truth and what is moral, will do us more pain than standing against our owntribe. The most pertinent example of this sort of moral failure in the news would be the National Basketball Association (NBA). They’ve been an outspoken critic of the current presidential administration, however, they stand little to lose being that a majority of teachers, journalists and more than 50 percent of U.S. adults also seem to agree. They also proclaim themselves as a wonderfully accepting and moral organization by selling rainbow T-shirts with its logo during Pride Month and launching a hashtag in solidarity with LGBTQ+ people. However, when the moment came to denounce the anti-democratic Chinese Comunist Party and support standing with Hong Kong, the ever-so-righteous NBA buckled. For the NBA, when it comes to doing the right thing, money is more important than morality. Don’t be like the NBA. If you truly wish to be a moral person, stand for something, even if it means losing everything. Not just money (goodness knows how little we students have of that) but possibly the thing we value most: our social standing with who we care about.
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OPINIONS Opinions do not reflect the views of Fourth Estate. Submit opinions to ckernans@gmu.edu
10.28.2019
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
JOANN KENNEDY FLANAGAN CONTRIBUTOR
Mason’s Fairfax campus sits in the corner of Virginia House of Delegates District 37, narrowly sandwiched between Districts 40 and 41. The redrawing of voting maps after the 2020 census will determine whether Mason will be in District 37, 40, 41, or split between those districts during the coming decade. We know from the gerrymandering of North Carolina Agricultural
& Technical University that college campuses can be split between voting districts for racial and political reasons. In the case of NC A&T — a historically black college — partisan operatives deliberately diluted the campus African American vote into two surrounding districts.
represented effectively. Legislators with hodge-podge districts don’t have the time or motivation to focus on their district’s many issues.
Even when racial issues are less prominent, communities split between several voting districts aren’t
In this November’s election, Virginians will vote for legislators who will have the power to redraw our
Towns, neighborhoods and campuses get the best constituency work from legislators who know and depend on an entire community for re-election.
voting districts based on the results of the 2020 census. Since we’re considered a heavily gerrymandered state in the U.S., there are loads of options for reuniting communities during that redraw. There’s currently a proposed state constitutional amendment that would require citizen participation on a redistricting commission and make the process transparent. This is a vital
modernization of Virginia governance to combat our legislators’ increasing use of technology to gerrymander our voting maps. To maximize your impact on the election, call your Virginia delegate and senator and ask them if they support the redistricting reform amendment. Tell them you want fair voting maps and, if they want your vote, you expect to get them.
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CLASSIFIEDS Researcher Wanted Seeking Junior, Senior, or Grad. student on PT basis (approx.5hrs/wk) for library and online research tasks. Majority of work can be done from researcher’s home or on campus. $22/hr. Contact 703-435-7188 or mcomlgl@online.com.kh
Tutor Wanted Russian Language Tutor for beginner high school student. Prefer speaker with some teaching experience and knowledge of Russian language curriculum. Tutoring location is Lorton VA (near South County HS). Interested candidates should email bd9je@virginia.edu
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1 bedroom rental in split foyer home with private entrance on Beulah Rd. in Vienna, VA. Fully furnished (no TV), separate kitchenette and full bath. Utilities, WiFi, washer and dryer included. No pets or smoking allowed. Parking on side street. Rent is $1,000 for 1 person, $1,100 for 2 people. Contact: Yadula 703-938-1183
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